When you buy your child a toy, it’s reasonable to expect that the toy is safe for them to use.
In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) made the voluntary toy safety standard in effect at that time mandatory nationwide instead.
Even with laws in place to protect children from dangerous toys, defective toys can still get into their hands and cause injuries.
If your child is injured by a dangerous toy, please place the toy in a safe space away from your child and contact us to schedule a free consultation.
With offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, our product liability lawyers are dedicated to protecting the rights of injury victims across Oklahoma.
The Dangers of Defective Toys
Toy-related injuries hurt over 200,000 children every year. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found that in 2018, the most common types of injuries were lacerations, followed by contusions and/or abrasions.
There were also 17 reports of toy-related deaths among children younger than 15 years old in 2018.
Motor vehicle accidents — riding a non-motorized scooter into the road — as well as choking and drowning were involved in these fatalities.
Some of the most common dangers associated with toys might include:
- Choking on small parts or components
- Strangulation from loose fabric, string, or rope
- Cuts from broken parts or broken glass parts
- Punctures from sharp parts or components
- Burns from overheated batteries, electrical toys, flammable materials or toxic materials used in manufacturing
- Eye injuries from small, sharp, or removable parts
- Internal injuries to organs from ingesting small parts or toys
Dangerous toys have been present (and recalled) for years. Even classic toys are widely known in pop culture, like Easy-Bake Ovens and bounce houses have been recalled for burn hazards or injuries to bones, joints, or skin.
Regulations and Recalls of Defective Toys
Toy companies must conduct safety tests to pinpoint and fix potential safety hazards. They must also label toys appropriately and describe which age range is intended for the toy.
If it has small parts or a design that can be a choking hazard, a warning must be present on the label, as well.
The CPSC has other safety regulations regarding flammability, sharp edges, lead paint, hazardous chemicals, sound level and more.
These regulations can prevent some toys from being sold to the public, but many still make it to market. Unsafe toys can be reported to the CPSC, who would then issue a partial or total recall of the toy.
For example, the Morfboard Skate & Scoot Combo scooter was recalled in October 2020 for posing a fall hazard due to the scooter’s handlebar joint.
In August 2020, Hasbro recalled their Super Soaker XP 20 and Super Soaker XP 30, an exclusive Target toy, because levels of lead present in the decorative stickers exceeded the federal limit.
Preventing Injuries from Dangerous Toys
To keep your child safe from injury from toys, keep these following safety tips in mind:
- Ensure that the toy is appropriate for your child’s age or developmental stage. Always read the product label.
- Read the toy’s product label and warning label so it can be used safely and correctly.
- Be mindful of toys with batteries or small magnets, which can pose a flammability hazard or choking hazard to young kids.
- Buy a helmet and pads to go along with scooters, bicycles, skateboards, or other products that may pose a falling hazard.
- Check for product recalls regularly. Safe Kids collects child-related recalls from CPSC, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Our current laws help ensure that children’s toys are safe enough to be sold on the market.
However, regulations alone can’t completely prevent injuries from occurring, nor can following safety guidelines and monitoring your children. Accidents can still occur.
How a Product Liability Attorney in Oklahoma Can Help
Our dangerous toy attorneys are experienced and dedicated to protecting the rights of those who have been injured.
During your free consultation with Carr & Carr, we’ll evaluate your case to determine the next steps you should take. We’re ready to help you fight for the compensation you and your child deserves.
If your child has been injured by a dangerous toy, keep the toy away from your child in a safe location, and seek medical attention right away. Then, contact our attorneys at Carr & Carr, or call (866) 510-0580. You can also follow our Facebook page.
