Florida Accident Attorney Blog

With Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday past us -- and the December holidays coming up fast -- Florida parents will be scrambling to get all their holiday gifts purchased and wrapped for their children. Every holiday season brings product liability related warnings about toys that could pose potential safety and health hazards to children. Consumer advocacy groups have come out with their annual lists of potentially dangerous toys to avoid.

As Broward County, Florida child birth injury attorneys -- and parents ourselves -- we know how precious these little ones are to their families. Here's a brief rundown of a few toys and related hazards that made consumer watch lists, due to their potential danger to children's safety.

The U.S. Public Interest Group (USPIRG) published its annual Trouble in Toyland report (see links below). The product liability problem areas the group discovered in toys on store shelves included toys and products that…

• contain toxins (which can be found in some plastics) that may be hazardous to children's health


• emit loud sounds that may be harmful to growing children's sensitive ears


• have small and/or removable parts (such as magnets and "button" batteries) that pose potential choking hazards

The PIRG reports that for 2010, more than 250,000 kids required emergency room treatment for toy-related injuries, many of which the group says could have been avoided. Choking is the number-one cause of toy related accidental child death, the group reports. Strangulation is also a serious and life-threatening hazard (e.g., by toys that have cords or lines including baby mobiles, as well as clothing with drawstrings). The group offers toy research and buying tips for parents, including a mobile phone app that they may use to get info while shopping. (See links below.)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Administration (CPSA) offers information on product warnings and recalls across a range of child safety related categories, including toys, car seats, cribs, helmets, as well as swimming pools and clothing. (See link below).

In addition, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that Boston-based World Against Toys Causing Harm (WATCH) issued its own list of potentially dangerous toys. Items that made that list include a Godzilla figure with dagger-like attachments and a Power Rangers toy Samurai sword, as well as a fold-up trampoline, a toy bow and arrow set, and a pull-toy duck with a long cord.

The Sun Sentinel reported that a toy manufacturers association spokesperson stated that toys are saver than ever before. If your child is injured while using a toy, it's best to consult an experienced Fort Lauderdale, Florida child accident injury lawyer to help determine possible liability and whether you may have a case or claim. See the links below to lists of possibly dangerous toys and well as resources for how to research and make wise toy purchases.

Sources:

Survey Finds Toxic or Dangerous Toys on Store Shelves
US PIRG Press Release Nov. 22

26th Annual Trouble in Toyland Report

USPIRG Toy Safety 2011 mobile app

U.S. consumer group flags 10 most dangerous toys
South Florida Sun Sentinel Nov. 17, 2011

2011 "10 Worst Toys" List
WATCH World Against Toys Causing Harm

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission home page