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The 10 worst toys of 2008
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World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.), a non-profit organization based in Massachusetts recently announced its annual list of the “10 Worst Toys” that they think have “the potential to cause childhood injuries or even death.”
So before you rush out and stand in those long ‘early bird specials’ lines after Thanksgiving, make sure that the toys on your list are NOT any of the following toys from the W.A.T.C.H. list:
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Animal Alley Purse PetManufacturer: Toys ‘R Us
Age Recommendation: “0+”
Price: $4.98
This soft, colorful pony is sold for infants. The toy has long, fiber-like hair that is not adequately rooted and is easily removable, presenting the potential for ingestion or aspiration injuries. This hazard is not referenced anywhere on the product or product tags.
Ninja Battle Gear – Michelangelo
Manufacturer: Playmates Toys, Inc.
Age Recommendation: “4 and up”
Price: $9.99
4-year-old children are encouraged to play the part of a Ninja, while wielding various weapons. One such weapon is Michelangelo's “Nunchaku", which the manufacturer describes as a "Kick-butt signature weapon!" consisting of two long plastic handles connected by a plastic chain. Remarkably, there are no accompanying cautions or warnings relating to potential impact injuries.
Walk ‘N Sounds Digger the DogManufacturer: Hasbro/Playskool
Age Recommendation: “12 months and up”
Price: $9.99
Despite the industry’s voluntary standard requiring strings on playpen or crib toys to be less than 12” in length, some manufacturers continue to market toys such as this “Digger The Dog” pull toy, with a cord measuring approximately 26 inches. Sold to be “your child’s best friend!”, it is intended for “infants” and thus, is a prime candidate for cribs and playpens.
Pucci Puppies – My Own Puppy House Golden Retriever
Manufacturer: Battat, Inc.
Age Recommendation: “2 and up”
Price: $14.99
Oral age children as young as 2 years old are encouraged to play with this plush, golden retriever puppy, sold with a dog house and accessories including a bone, cookie, chew toy and food bowl. These accessories are small parts that could easily be ingested by a child, presenting the potential for serious choking injuries.
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Meadow Mystery Play-a-Sound Book with a Cuddly PoohManufacturer: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Age Recommendation: “18 months+”
Price: $9.97
This soft Winnie The Pooh doll is packaged and sold with a “Meadow Mystery” book. Pooh’s cloth mask, once removed, poses the potential for choking injuries. Despite the wording on the packaging and the book that the product has been safety tested for children “18 months+”, the tag attached to the plush toy indicates that it is “[r]ecommended for all age groups”.
Inflatable Giga Ball 
Manufacturer: Kenscott, Ltd.
Age Recommendation: “4 and up”
Price: $49.99
Children as young as 4 years old are encouraged to “crawl inside” this colorful inflatable ball, in order to “spin, tumble, [and] bounce”. The box warns against using the ball on hills or near water, and notes that parental supervision is “required”. However, the toy itself indicates that adult supervision is only “recommended”, and the package insert further warns the ball is “[n]ot for pool side use or as a flotation device”.
Spider-Man Adjustable Toy SkatesManufacturer: Street Flyers, LLC
Age Recommendation: “Ages 3-6”
Price: $19.99
The packaging for these adjustable toy skates has numerous warnings, including the requirement that children wear helmets, wrist guards, knee pads and elbow pads while skating. Inexplicably, the safety gear sold with the toy includes only knee and elbow pads.
Sportsman Shotgun
Manufacturer: Parris Manufacturing Company
Age Recommendation: “Not recommended for children under 3 years of age” and “AGE 14+”
Price: $29.99
This realistic looking weapon is sold online as a “toy” for use by children. Once the rubber bullets are loaded into the shotgun’s magazine, and the ammunition is pushed into the gun’s chamber, “[y]ou are now ready to shoot”. This weapon is not a toy and should not be sold for use by children.
Extreme Spiral CoptersManufacturer: Toysmith Group
Age Recommendation: “5 and up”
Price: $3.00
These copters are described by the manufacturer as having “awesome spiral action!” Young children are encouraged to launch the projectile into the air with the provided elastic band, in a fashion similar to a slingshot. Cautions include: “DO NOT SUBSTITUTE THE SUPPLIED COPTER WITH ANY OTHER PROJECTILE”, and “DO NOT AIM AT EYES OR FACE”.
Go Gos Minis Pullback Vehicle
Manufacturer: Kid Galaxy, Inc.
Age Recommendation: “3+”
Price: $4.99
These miniature fire trucks, garbage trucks and school buses are sold individually at the checkout counter in a display box. The rear tires of these vehicles are removeable, presenting the potential for a serious choking injury for oral age children. Incredibly, the “choking hazard” warning appears only on the display box, and not on the individual toys.
Click HERE for more information on W.A.T.C.H.
For a great, unique holiday gift idea, check out my recent article, “Make your kid a star”
Get even more ideas from the Examiner.com's complete Holiday Guide.
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