BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — As you're getting ready to buy gifts this holiday season, we'll warn you about some of the dangerous gifts you should know about.
Toy safety organization W.A.T.C.H. (World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc.) just released its list of the top ten most harmful toys for the 2019 holiday season.
Most of the toys on this list are cited for potentially causing choking hazards, and for ingesting chemicals.
Here is the complete list, along with how much each toy costs:
- Nerf Ultra One: $49.99
- Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog: $17.99
- Bunchems Bunch'n Build: $16.58
- Yeti: $21.24
- Nickelodeon Frozen Treats Slime: $9.99
- Anstoy Electronic Toy Gun: $59.99
- Diecast School Bus: $14.99
- Pogo Trick Board: $29.99
- Power Rangers Electronic Cheek Claw: $19.99
- Viga Pull Along Caterpillar: $20.54
The Toy Association reached out to 7 Eyewitness News, with the following statement:
Each year, W.A.T.C.H.’s dangerous toys list needlessly frightens parents and caregivers. By law, all toys sold in the United States must meet 100+ rigorous safety tests and standards. On the other hand, W.A.T.C.H. does not test the toys in its report to check their safety; their allegations appear to be based on their misrepresentation or misunderstanding of the mandatory toy standards.
Unable to find product defects on the market as a result of these strict U.S. toy standards and test requirements, W.A.T.C.H. tends to focus on products with safety instructions and warnings, as if responsibly providing safety information to consumers is somehow an indication that a product cannot be safe for use or for sale, when the opposite is true.
W.A.T.C.H. looks to gain media attention for its organization at this time of year. However, toymakers and The Toy Association are committed to toy safety year-round. These efforts include providing useful tips for families and caregivers to help them choose age-appropriate toys and ensure safe play. The Association reminds parents and caregivers to always purchase toys from reputable stores and online sellers they know and trust. Toys sold by legitimate and known sellers are tested for compliance with the U.S.’s strict toy safety standard, which includes stringent limits for lead and other chemicals, a highly effective small parts regulation developed with the help of pediatricians, as well as requirements to ensure sturdiness and reliability of toys, among many other requirements.
