Avoiding Dangerous Toys this Holiday Season


The ads have started and the decorations are going up. It’s the beginning of the holiday season. Time to start holiday shopping. For the last decade our firm has repeated recalls of dangerous toys and done our best to help consumers make sure their holiday shopping contributes to sharing the joy of the season with family and friends. The CPSC reports 174,100 toy-related emergency department treated injuries and seven deaths to children younger than 15 in 2016.

The 2017 Worst Toys List

 Every year, World Against Toys Causing Harm (W.A.T.C.H.)  publishes its list of the most dangerous toys. This year’s report notes that 51% of holiday budgets will be spent online and urges consumers to be vigilent when buying toys. Here’s a link to W.A.T.C.H.’S 2017 Nominees for “10 WORST TOYS”

Checking the New and the Old

Before you head out or get on line to buy that favorite toy, there are a few things to keep in mind to avoid buying defective or dangerous toys. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends gift buyers check for recalls before buying any toy.
The CPSC also recommends checking on items bought at a thrift store or yard sale to see if they were recalled. Not only should you check on toys, but furniture, especially older baby cribs, walkers, strollers and high chairs. Click here for Thrift Store Safety Information
Safe Kids’ website is another excellent resource that keeps up-to-date on recalls recommends age appropriate toys.

Choose Carefully

While no one chooses gifts with the intent to harm a child, it is well-known that toys may cause serious injuries. Sometimes safety considerations are lost by attempts to make the holidays special for children. Be sure to follow age-appropriate guidelines. Age labels are checked closely and should not be taken lightly. Choking and strangulation hazards can mean life or death to a child. Also, many toys made in made in China and other parts of the world that do not have the safety standards we have here.

Every day we represent victims who were injured by defective and dangerous products. Many of those lawsuits have led to safety changes in products. Sadly, the changes only came after injuries or deaths. Because we strongly believe it is important to try to help prevent injuries and wrongful deaths, we will continue to publish information about recalls of defective and dangerous toys and children’s products.
Hopefully, helping consumers make sure they’re shopping for safe toys will contribute the joy of the season. Let’s make it smart and safe. Happy holidays!

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About The Author

Wayne Hogan

Wayne Hogan

Wayne Hogan, a Jacksonville native, has been with the firm since 1977. He graduated from Florida State University, where he received both his bachelor’s and J.D. degrees. He specializes in all areas of personal injury law. In addition to participating in many professional associations, he and his wife, Pat, are also actively involved in the community.