Portfolio

Price: $9.99

Manufacturer or Distributor: Direct Connect

Retailer(s): Target

Age Recommendation: “5+”

Warnings: “Never aim or shoot the disc at people, animals or breakable objects…”, and other warnings/cautions on packaging.

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR FACE AND EYE INJURIES!

 W.A.T.C.H. OUT! These discs made of rigid plastic are designed for launch by 5-year-olds, who are encouraged to “Pull And Watch It Fly!” distances of “up to 100 ft.” Young children using the “ripper” for launch are cautioned to “aim away from your face and body.”

Price: $24.99

Manufacturer or Distributor: Maison Battat, Inc.

Retailer(s): Target

Age Recommendation: “2+” and “Not suitable for children under 18 months”

Warnings: “WARNING: Not suitable for children under 18 months. Long cord. Strangulation hazard.”

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR INGESTION AND CHOKING INJURIES!

 W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This musical instrument set is sold for oral-age children as a “great way to introduce little ones to music!” The set includes a slender, wooden drumstick with a handle that is 6 ¾ inches long, which has the potential to be mouthed and occlude a child’s airway. The manufacturer warns only about a potential “strangulation hazard.”

Price: $15.93

Manufacturer or Distributor: Big Time Toys, LLC

Retailer(s): Amazon.com, Wellesley Toy Shop

Age Recommendation: “Ages 5+”

Warnings: “Use by adults could cause injury”; “Product Safety Guidelines: Do not hit at anyone’s face or eyes…”, and other warnings/cautions on packaging.

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR BLUNT FORCE AND IMPACT INJURIES! 

 W.A.T.C.H. OUT!  Children are intended to place their hands into the opening of each inflatable “bopper” and “make a fist” to engage in play that is “more fun than a pillow fight!” No warnings or cautions are provided regarding the potential for blunt force or impact injuries.

Price: $18.99

Manufacturer or Distributor: Maison Battat, Inc.

Retailer(s): Target

Age Recommendation: “age 3+” (on tag only)

Warnings:  “WARNING! CHOKING HAZARD – Toy contains small ball and small part. Not for children under 3 years” (tag only).

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR CHOKING INJURIES! 

W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This dog carrier is sold complete with a plush, furry “6-inch pup”, accompanied by some plastic items for travel, including a small dog ball, dog bones, and toothbrush. The only “choking hazard” warning appears on the throw-away tag.

Price: $59.99

Manufacturer or Distributor: Splatrball

Retailer(s):  Target, Basspro.com, Cabelas.com

Age Recommendation: “AGE 14+”

Warnings: “Adult supervision required … This … blaster can cause eye injuries … never aim or shoot at people or animals…”, and other warnings/cautions on packaging and package inserts.

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR EYE INJURIES!

 W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This “blaster” is sold with an “easy-load 750-round Capacity Magazine” and is “fully automatic”, firing “10 Splat-R-Balls Per Second” at “velocities up to 160 fps.” Eyewear is included for “eye protection.”

Price:  $29.99

Manufacturer or Distributor: Kellytoy- A Jazwares Company; Jazwares, LLC

Retailer(s):  Walmart.com, Learning Express

Age Recommendation:  “0+” (on tag only)

Warnings:  None.

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR SUFFOCATION!

 W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This plush, pillow-like toy is sold with an age recommendation of “0+”. The manufacturer’s website invites purchasers to “find the perfect squishmallow to cuddle” or gift to children of “all ages”, however similar Squishmallows toys are sold for ages “3+”. The potential suffocation hazards associated with pillows and certain plush used by infants are well documented.

Price: $8.99

Manufacturer or Distributor: Schylling; Kintoy Die-Casting Ltd

Retailer(s): Schylling.com, Magic Beans

Age Recommendation: “3+” (stick-on tag only)

Warnings: “WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD – Small parts. Not for children under 3 years”.

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR CHOKING INJURIES!

 W.A.T.C.H. OUT! These miniature multi-colored fast-food trucks are sold with a “choking hazard” warning on a removable stick-on label. The firm rubber tires, mounted on plastic wheels, can be removed, presenting the potential for a serious choking injury for oral-age children.

Price: $19.99

Manufacturer or Distributor: Jakks Pacific, Inc.

Retailer(s): Target, shopDisney.com, Kohls.com, Macys.com, ToysRus.com

Age Recommendation: 3+

Warnings: “CAUTION: Adult Supervision Suggested. Never swing at people, animals, or fragile objects”, and other warnings/cautions on package and package insert.

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR BLUNT FORCE AND EYE INJURIES!

 W.A.T.C.H. OUT! Children as young as three-years-old are encouraged to “[c]ommand the seas like the powerful King Triton.” This “3 [f]eet [t]all … trident”, is a three-pronged spear made of rigid, pointed plastic.

Price: $59.00

Manufacturer or Distributor: Madd Gear LLC USA

Retailer(s): Walmart

Age Recommendation: “6+”

Warnings: “WARNING: Do not use on wet surface, uneven or unpaved road… It is not recommended that [it] be used on steep slopes or high speeds…”, and other warnings/cautions on packaging, package insert and product. 

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR HEAD AND OTHER IMPACT INJURIES!

 W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This two-wheeled “Carve Pro” scooter, sold for children as young as six-years-old, is marketed for use in “stunt” activities. However, despite such encouraged use, the manufacturer provides numerous warnings and cautions, including: “Do not make a short or sharp turn”; “do not ride on slippery or wet ground” and “do not use on uneven or unpaved road” or at “high speeds.” Further, although there are warnings to wear protective equipment, the packaging depicts children using these products without helmets or safety pads.

Price: $11.19

Manufacturer or Distributor: Spin Master, Ltd; Spin Master Inc.

Retailer(s): Amazon.com

Age Recommendation: “Not for children under 3 years.”

Warnings:   “WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD – Small parts & small balls”; “Caution Do not eat Orbeez”; and other small parts cautions/warnings. 

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR CHOKING AND INGESTION INJURIES!

 W.A.T.C.H. OUT! These multi-colored “rainbow seeds” are sold to children with “growing” instructions – simply adding water will allow the seeds to “fully grow in 3-4 hours.” The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has received reports of children ingesting “water beads” with the potential to cause “grave internal injuries…” The government has already urged removal of water bead products from “any environment” with small children and has urged schools, camps, and childcare facilities to “avoid these products entirely.”