World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.) has released its nominees for the 41st annual “10 Worst Toys of 2013” report. The report states that so-called “toy weapons” and similar toys, should never be gifted to children and urges parents exert caution when shopping this holiday season.
Consumer Advocates, Joan E. Siff, President of W.A.T.C.H., and James A. Swartz, trial attorney and a Director of W.A.T.C.H. announced this year’s report, which details a number of toy hazards of which parents should be aware and also provides current toy recall information. W.A.T.C.H. also discusses the necessity of vigilance when holiday shopping this year.
According to Siff and Swartz, toy weapons that look like guns, slingshots, boomerangs, and projectiles, may potentially cause tragic, even fatal, accidents, that harm and kill children, yet remain on store shelves. W.A.T.C.H. lists the following as its 10 worst toys:
Army Force Automatic Rifle/$19.95/Chuangfa Toys Factory/Sold at Amazon.com
Realistic toy weapon created to produce dangerous and unnecessary thrills; detailed replicas have led to a number of deaths through the years and should never be sold as toys.
Big Rock & Roll Ball Pit/$39.99/The Little Tikes Company/Sold at Toys R Us
Manufacturer warns that “competent adult supervision is required”; product packaging shows unsupervised children at play.
Max Steel Interactive Steel With Turbo Sword/$27.99/Mattel/ sold at Kmart, ToysRUs.com, Target.com, Walmart.com
Product’s plastic sword may potentially cause facial or other impact injuries.
Disney Princess Backpack Fishing Kit/$14.98; Disney—Pure Fishing, a subsidiary of Jarden Corporation/Sold at Toys R Us
Toy contains lead, may generate lead dust.
Black Widow Folding Slingshot/$30.75/Barnett Outdoors, LLC/Sold at Amazon.com
Slingshot comes with a disclaimer of liability warning of extreme harm if improperly used. Slingshots are not allowed for sale in several states.
Little Drummer/$19.99/Hape Toys/Sold at Toyshop.com, Amazon.com, and Stellabella Toys
Sold for babies; no warnings exist for the 6 ½-inch drumstick, which poses a choking hazard.
Boomerang “Throw & Catch”/$1.27 ($30.46 for 24-Item Case)/Kole Imports/Sold at Amazon.com
Comes with various warnings—choking hazards, small parts, and that the toy should not be aimed at people and animals. W.A.T.C.H. notes that boomerangs should never be sold to children.
Disney Baby Snow White/$13.99/Tollytots Limited/Sold at Kmart, ToysRUs.com, Amazon.com
Contains a number of choking hazards; is marketed to young children.
N-Strike Jolt Blaster/$4.99; Hasbro/Sold at Kmart, Amazon.com, Hasbro.com, Kohls.com
Provided dart can shoot with sufficient force to potentially cause eye injuries.
The Spooner – Freestyle/$39.99/Spooner, Inc./Sold at Amazon.com, Stellabella Toys
A polyethylene board that looks like a skateboard with no wheels. Advertising encourages children to learn about “trick tips” online; no mention of safety gear. The children on the product’s packaging are not wearing helmets, other protection.
