Product manufacturers have a duty to ensure that their products are safe for people to use, especially when those products are marketed to children. It is an unpleasant thought to know that, unfortunately, some toy companies miss the mark and market products that can potentially be dangerous. Defects in the design, manufacturing, or advertising of the product could end up leading to serious injury and, in some cases, death.
The following is a list of the top 10 most dangerous toys of all time:
- Aqua Dots. The glue on these small plastic beads was found to contain gamma-hydroxybutyrate, otherwise known as GHB or the “date rape drug.” Reports of serious illness and coma were reported among children who ingested the beads.
- Snacktime Cabbage Patch doll. The mechanical jaws of the Snacktime Cabbage Patch doll was a one-way roller with no off-switch. While it was only meant to be activated by the snack accessories, the jaws could pull in the hair and fingers of children.
- Magnetix building sets. If ingested, the high-powered magnets in these toys could connect with each other through tissue walls, cutting off blood supply to vital organs and causing a painful death within hours.
- Inflatable baby boats. These inflatable boats, meant to safely allow babies to float in the pool, were recalled in 2009 after more than 30 infants drowned. The leg straps were prone to tearing, causing the infants to slip through and into the water.
- CSI fingerprinting kit. This kit allowed children to examine fingerprints using a special brush and powder. The powder was found to have been approximately 5 percent asbestos.
- Hannah Montana pop star card game. The vinyl material used to make these playing cards was found to have 3,000 parts per million of the toxin lead – at least 75 times the maximum allowable level.
- Mini hammocks. These hammocks did not have a bar to keep them open, presenting a strangulation hazard any time children would attempt to get in or out of them.
- The Austin Magic Pistol. This toy from the 1950s features gas-powered combustion using calcium carbide crystals. When mixed with water, the crystals would explode.
- Lawn darts. These steel missiles, meant to be thrown at the lawn much like horseshoes, could cause serious injury in the hands of children. They were eventually banned after the deaths of at least three children.
- Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab. This midcentury toy actually contained uranium samples – and an order form to obtain more!
If your child has suffered an injury caused by a defective toy, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a Los Angeles product liability attorney at Shoop | A Professional Law Corporation to discuss your potential case. Our experienced firm is ready to take immediate action on your behalf.
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