Community Corner

Interactive: Watchdog Dubs These 10 Toys Most Dangerous for Kids

Slingshot, toy assault rifle and a baby Snow White all called hazardous by World Against Toys Causing Harm in the group's 2013 do-not-buy list.

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We know kids like dangerous toys. Just consider the "you'll shoot your eye out" theme in the holiday classic "The Christmas Story" about a boy who wants a BB gun under the tree.

But comedy aside, some toys can be dangerous. A safety group that has for decades flagged each season's most dangerous toys made its 2013 list public this week.

The year's list from World Against Toys Causing Harm includes some items that are no surprise, like the Black Widow Folding Slingshot, "Throw & Catch" Boomerang and a weapon replica called the "Army Force Automatic Rifle."

But also making this list is the seemingly innocent Disney Princess Backpack Fishing Kit. The cute pink set aimed at getting girls interested in fishing and the outdoors contains lead.

You can read through the whole list or click through our interactive above.

1. ARMY FORCE AUTOMATIC RIFLE

"In today’s world, there is no excuse for outfitting children with realistic toy weapons designed to produce dangerous and unnecessary thrills," said W.A.T.C.H, citing weak legislation against these toys that have caused deaths over the years. For example, sheriffs in San Francisco recently shot and
killed a 13-year-old boy after mistaking his toy assault rifle for the real thing.

Price: $19.95
Manufacturer or Distributor: Chuangfa Toys Factory
Retailer(s): Amazon.com
Age Recommendation: “8 years and up” (online); “Age for 3 years old”
Warnings: “WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD- small parts. Not (packaging) for children under 3 years,” and other warnings (package)

2. BIG ROCK & ROLL BALL PIT

According to W.A.T.C.H., kids can get hurt crashing into each other in the pit. "The manufacturer cautions that 'competent adult supervision is required,' however the box portrays unsupervised children at play," the group said.

Price: $39.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: The Little Tikes Company
Retailer(s): Toys R Us
Age Recommendation: “3+ years”
Warnings: “CAUTION: Use only under Competent Supervision”; DO NOT dive on, climb on, or jump off of item”; and numerous other warnings and cautions

3. MAX STEEL INTERACTIVE STEEL WITH TURBO SWORD

"Young children are encouraged to 'attach steel to turbofy' this rigid plastic sword", said W.A.T.C.H.
But the 2-foot blade can cause facial or other impact injuries, they claim.

Price: $27.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Mattel
Retailer(s): Kmart; ToysRUs.com; Target.com; Walmart.com
Age Recommendation: “4+”
Warnings: “WARNING: Small parts may be generated” (package)

4. DISNEY PRINCESS BACKPACK FISHING KIT

Group claims kids might swallow lead that the manufacturer lists as a potential hazard. "Remarkably, the cardboard insert warns that the play item “contains lead,” which may be “harmful if eaten or chewed,” and further that the toy “May generate dust containing lead," said W.A.T.C.H.

Lead levels in toys have been a concern for years, and most recently the Consumer Product Safety Commission seized lead-laden toys in a New York sting.

Price: $14.98
Manufacturer or Distributor: Disney; Pure Fishing, a subsidiary of Jarden
Retailer(s): Toys R Us
Age Recommendation: “For ages 4 and up”
Warnings: “Warning: contains lead. May be harmful if eaten or chewed. May generate dust containing lead.”

5. BLACK WIDOW FOLDING SLINGSHOT

"This slingshot marketed by a company offering for sale “the most powerful slingshot in the world!” was purchased online in Amazon’s “toys & games” section for ages “6 months and up.” It is highly dangerous, the group said, and such toys are already illegal Massachusetts.

Price: $30.75
Manufacturer or Distributor: Barnett Outdoors, LLC
Retailer(s): Amazon.com
Age Recommendation: “6 months and up” (online only)
Warnings: “Disclaimer of liability” that “If improperly used…could cause severe harm”; and other cautions and instructions

6. LITTLE DRUMMER

"The manufacturer provides no warnings regarding the slender, rigid approximately 6 ½ inch long drumstick, which an infant can choke on," said W.A.T.C.H.

Price: $19.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Hape Toys
Retailer(s): Toyshop.com; Amazon.com; Stellabella Toys
Age Recommendation: “12 M+”
Warnings: None

7. BOOMERANG “THROW & CATCH”

"The manufacturer cautions that the toy should not be aimed at people and animals," said W.A.T.C.H., which added that boomerangs should flat-out never be given to kids since they can cause injuries.

Price: $1.27 (based on $30.46 for a case of 24)
Manufacturer or Distributor: Kole Imports
Retailer(s): Amazon.com
Age Recommendation: “16 months and up” (online); “Not for children under 3
Warnings: “WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD- small parts years” (package) (package); “Unsuitable for children under 36 months, because it’s a flying toy,” and other cautions

8. DISNEY BABY SNOW WHITE

"The doll is sold wearing a detachable headband with a plastic heart-adorned bow that poses the potential for choking if ingested," said W.A.T.C.H.

Price: $13.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Tollytots Limited
Retailer(s): Kmart; ToysRUs.com; Amazon.com
Age Recommendation: “2+”
Warnings: “WARNING: Remove all packaging attachments like rubber band and/or plastic strap before giving product to child”

9. N-STRIKE JOLT BLASTER

According to the group, the dart flies off of the gun with enough force to cause eye injuries.

Price: $4.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Hasbro
Retailer(s): Kmart; Amazon.com; Hasbro.com; Kohls.com
Age Recommendation: “Ages 8+”
Warnings: “CAUTION: Do not aim at eyes or face. TO AVOID INJURY: Use only darts designed for this product. Do not modify darts or dart blaster”

10. THE SPOONER- FREESTYLE

Head injuries are the concern with these no-wheelsskateboards. "The manufacturer makes no mention of safety gear, and children pictured on the packaging are not wearing helmets ...," said W.A.T.C.H.

Price: $39.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Spooner, Inc.
Retailer(s): Amazon.com; Stellabella Toys
Age Recommendation: “Ages 3+” (package insert)
Warnings: “Use at your own risk”; “Ride at your own risk”; “Board sports are dangerous. Ride spooners…at your own risk” (package inserts)


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