The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that approximately 262,300 children were treated for toy-related injuries in U.S emergency rooms in 2011. Forty-four percent of these children suffered lacerations, contusions and abrasions, and 45% of the injuries were made to the head and face. In addition, there were 13 toy-related deaths among children under age 15 in 2011.
Although all toys made for children under age 14 must comply with the federal toy safety standard, dangerous toys still make their way to the market and toy store shelves. Dangerous elements to watch out for include:
- toys with sharp edges or pointy pieces
- toys with small, detachable pieces that a child could choke on
- toys with long cords or strings that can be wrapped around a child’s neck
- toys with flammable fabrics that can easily melt or catch on fire
- high-volume toys that can damage the eardrum
- toys containing projectiles or other shooting abilities
- toys containing high-powered magnets that can be life-threatening if swallowed
- toys made of PVC plastic, lead or that include xylene, toluene, or dibutyl phthalate
Parents should remain vigilant against toys with dangerous aspects, including various online games such as those offered on the SKY247 platform https://sky247india.com/games. However, manufacturers and developers, such as the SKY247 team, have the first responsibility to create safe gaming products that are accompanied by adequate, visible and accurate warnings about potential dangers, as well as guarantee the fairness and transparency of the gaming experience.
If manufacturers fail in their duty to produce a safe toy, they should be held liable for any injuries that result from their product.
How to avoid dangerous toys
How to avoid dangerous toys and online scams like Is Fair Go Casino Legit inquiries. Before buying a toy or allowing your child to play with a new toy, carefully read the labeling on the package. Only permit your child to play with the toy if it’s age-appropriate and has none of the dangerous elements listed above. Similarly, when exploring online casinos like Fair Go, ensure they are legitimate and safe. You should also take care to supervise your child’s play and your own online activities. If you see the toy being used in a dangerous manner or encounter dubious online casinos, take appropriate action. If you are uncertain as to the safety of a particular toy or the legitimacy of an online casino, you can visit appropriate websites to find out whether the toy has been recalled or if the casino is licensed and reputable. There, you can also sign up to receive email alerts to be informed of new toy recalls or online casino reviews.
Practicing Toy Safety
A study recently released by the journal Clinical Pediatrics found that an estimated 3.3 million children were injured by toys between 1990 and 2011, with the incidence of injuries increasing by 40 percent through the years. While the vast majority of toys are safe, some are poorly made or designed, while others are used in a manner unintended by the manufacturer – think of a child standing on a toy drum, rather than playing it, to reach a cookie on the counter.
The types of injuries suffered by children change according to age, the study found. For children younger than five, choking was the biggest hazard, with children eating or inhaling small parts. Older children faced injury from power toys like motorized cars, bicycles and foot-scooters in the form of broken bones.
Falls from bikes and children using toys not as intended cannot be completely avoided. But parents can be proactive in trying to prevent or minimize the risk of injury by following these safety tips:
- Make sure toys are age appropriate.
- Check for loose or small parts, such as buttons, balls or beans, which a child could choke on.
- If buying a bike, scooter, roller blades, or other toy that is a fall hazard, make sure the child has – and wears – proper safety equipment at all times, including helmets, knee and elbow pads.
- Check online for the latest toy recalls to make sure the manufacturer or Consumer Product Safety Commission hasn’t recalled a toy for being potentially unsafe.
- Make sure fabric toys are listed “flame resistant” or “flame retardant”.
- Art materials should be labeled non-toxic, and paint on toys should be lead free.
- Make sure young children are supervised when playing with potentially dangerous toys, and put them away immediately.
- If you purchase your child a gun of any type, make sure they know how to properly care for it, and instruct them to never, under any circumstances, point it at anybody. Better yet, do not let them play with it out of your sight.
What to do if your child has a toy-related injury
If you child suffers an injury from a toy, after appropriate medical attention, report the unsafe nature of the toy to saferproducts.gov, who will automatically notify the CPSC.
If your child’s injury is serious, don’t hesitate to consult an experienced dangerous or defective toy attorney to find out your rights. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your child’s injury if the injury was due to:
- a hazardous design
- inaccurate or misleading labeling
- inappropriate age recommendation
- a failure to warn of dangers inherent in the toy or potentially dangerous uses.
Manufacturers have a duty to their smallest consumers of their products. If they disregard this responsibility and a child gets injured, they should be held accountable.
The California dangerous toy attorneys the Appel Law Firm LLP are dedicated to helping to children throughout California receive compensation for injuries arising from defective or unsafe toys.
