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The 10 most dangerous toys of 2016

Child safety group WATCH says there are hidden dangers in some of the year's most popular toys

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Photo (c) Monika 3 Steps Ahead - Fotolia
In an effort to keep parents from unknowingly purchasing a toy that could harm their child, the child safety group World Against Toys Causing Harm (WATCH) has released its annual list of the most dangerous toys.

The group noted that every three minutes a child is treated in a U.S. emergency room for a toy-related injury. Since January 2015, at least 19 toys with safety defects have been recalled, the organization said in a news release.

WATCH says the toys on this year’s list may be dangerous to children for a number of reasons. In some cases, small pieces pose a choking hazard while in others, pointed parts may cause injury. The organization points out that toy labels often carry inadequate warnings.

"Due to poor design, manufacturing and marketing practices, there are toys available for purchase today with the potential to lead to serious injury and even death," WATCH said.

10 most dangerous toys

The group said it "urges parents and caregivers to take precautions when buying toys" during holiday shopping, which accounts for 65% of all annual toy sales.

Here is WATCH's list of the 10 worst toys of 2016 and the risks they pose:
  • Peppa Pig's Muddy Puddles Family -- choking hazard from small parts.

  • Kids Time Baby Children's Elephant Pillow -- suffocation hazard, but no warning.

  • Slimeball Slinger -- slimeball ammunition can be fired with enough force to cause eye injuries.

  • Banzai Bump N' Bounce Body Bumpers -- potential for impact injuries.

  • Nerf Rival Apollo XV-700 Blaster -- potential for eye injuries but carries no warning.

  • The Good Dinosaur Galloping Butch -- potential for puncture wounds due to pointed tail. Warns about small parts but not about puncture wound threat.

  • Peppy Pups -- risk of strangulation due to long cord. Carries no warning.

  • Flying Heroes Superman Launcher -- risk of eye and facial injuries.

  • Baby Magic Feed and Play Baby -- spoon that comes with doll has the potential to be mouthed and block a child's airway. Has no warning.

  • Warcraft Doomhammer -- risk of blunt impact injuries.

Alarmist?

While WATCH’s annual list of dangerous toys may be viewed as helpful to some, there are those who contend that several of the warnings on the list are unnecessary. Led by the belief that “kids will be kids,” some parents argue that a blunt impact warning on a Nerf Blaster, for instance, isn’t necessary.

Toymakers also took issue with the list. In a statement, the Toy Industry Association made note of the fact that the U.S. has among the strictest toy-safety standards.

"The toy community remains steadfast in its year-round commitment to creating safe toys and games that bring joy and learning to children all over the world," said Steve Pasierb, CEO of the Toy Industry Association. "All toys sold in the U.S. are highly regulated 365 days a year by the federal government and must meet more than 100 safety requirements."

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