Ten toys to avoid this holiday season
Some of the toys kids want for the holidays are the same toys consumer watchdogs say you should avoid this year.
The first "Top 10" toy list comes from a Boston-area group called World Against Toys Causing Harm, or WATCH.
WATCH was founded by trial attorneys who launched their first annual "10 Worst Toys" list 37 years ago.
The group says its list is based on consumer feedback and random shopping trips done throughout the year.
This year's list includes a Dark Knight Batman Action Figure, an X-men Slashin' Action Wolverine, A Disney-Pixar Wall-E Rocket Launcher and a Curious George Counting Book. The 10 toys were singled out as the 10 worst toys of 2009 because of dangerous parts.
Consumer advocates at WATCH say the Curious George book is a potential choking hazard because the metal rod and beads used for counting might become detached.
They say the pointed plastic claws on Slashin' Action Wolverine could cause eye and other impact injuries.
Ditto for the Wall-E Rocket Launcher, as the foam rocket can shoot up to 20 feet and could hurt someone.
WATCH singled out a Miniature Caterpillar Construction Vehicle as dangerous because the wheels might separate and expose the metal rod, which is more than 3 inches long. The toy is labeled for kids as young as 18 months.
"When we go out into toy stores and see a lot of the same hazards that we've seen year after year still appearing on the shelves, then we know that not enough is happening." said WATCH Director James Swartz.
Other toys on the WATCH list include a Plush-Stuffed Pucci Pup, which is recommended for kids as young as 2. Because of the long hair fibers and nearly 3-foot-long leash, the label even warns of the potential for strangulation and aspiration.
As for Dark Knight, WATCH says the rigid, pointed ears on the action figure could cause injury to a child in a fall.
Whether or not you agree with the WATCH list, the bottom line on toy safety is always inspect toys for yourself before you buy.
Look for small parts that could break off, hard or sharp projectiles, long, breakable rope, string or ribbon, and elastic cord or spring action parts that could snap back into a child's face or body.
And once the toy is in your home, supervise kids' playtime, especially if there are children of different ages who may have access to toys not intended for their age group.
Another consumer group is going after lead in toys- something most consumers cannot accurately test for themselves.
The Center for Environmental Health says it found high levels of lead in some Barbie accessories, kid's jewelry, and even cartoon-related clothing and shoes that should not be on the market. Federal regulators are investigating.
For more information:
Full List of Flagged Toys
Center for Environmental Health
The first "Top 10" toy list comes from a Boston-area group called World Against Toys Causing Harm, or WATCH.
WATCH was founded by trial attorneys who launched their first annual "10 Worst Toys" list 37 years ago.
The group says its list is based on consumer feedback and random shopping trips done throughout the year.
This year's list includes a Dark Knight Batman Action Figure, an X-men Slashin' Action Wolverine, A Disney-Pixar Wall-E Rocket Launcher and a Curious George Counting Book. The 10 toys were singled out as the 10 worst toys of 2009 because of dangerous parts.
Consumer advocates at WATCH say the Curious George book is a potential choking hazard because the metal rod and beads used for counting might become detached.
They say the pointed plastic claws on Slashin' Action Wolverine could cause eye and other impact injuries.
Ditto for the Wall-E Rocket Launcher, as the foam rocket can shoot up to 20 feet and could hurt someone.
WATCH singled out a Miniature Caterpillar Construction Vehicle as dangerous because the wheels might separate and expose the metal rod, which is more than 3 inches long. The toy is labeled for kids as young as 18 months.
"When we go out into toy stores and see a lot of the same hazards that we've seen year after year still appearing on the shelves, then we know that not enough is happening." said WATCH Director James Swartz.
Other toys on the WATCH list include a Plush-Stuffed Pucci Pup, which is recommended for kids as young as 2. Because of the long hair fibers and nearly 3-foot-long leash, the label even warns of the potential for strangulation and aspiration.
As for Dark Knight, WATCH says the rigid, pointed ears on the action figure could cause injury to a child in a fall.
Whether or not you agree with the WATCH list, the bottom line on toy safety is always inspect toys for yourself before you buy.
Look for small parts that could break off, hard or sharp projectiles, long, breakable rope, string or ribbon, and elastic cord or spring action parts that could snap back into a child's face or body.
And once the toy is in your home, supervise kids' playtime, especially if there are children of different ages who may have access to toys not intended for their age group.
Another consumer group is going after lead in toys- something most consumers cannot accurately test for themselves.
The Center for Environmental Health says it found high levels of lead in some Barbie accessories, kid's jewelry, and even cartoon-related clothing and shoes that should not be on the market. Federal regulators are investigating.
For more information:
Full List of Flagged Toys
Center for Environmental Health