Holiday toys: Avoid these 10 toys, according to a group of consumers

A Black Panther inspired claw and a "superstar blade" of the Power Rangers are on the list of naughty toys of the holiday season. Indeed, a consumer safety group warns that they are among the most dangerous for children.

The annual list of the worst party toys includes toys that may harm children, according to World Against Toys Causing Harm, or W.A.T.C.H. The consumer advocacy group said the 10 toys on its 2018 list could cause injuries such as choking, strangulation, blunt trauma or eye damage.

"The toys nominated for the 2018" Worst Toys "list illustrate some of the potential types of hazards that parents may encounter during their holiday shopping but should not be considered the only potentially dangerous toys on the market." declared WATCH President Joan Siff. "The list is a practical tool to help parents recognize what some of these potential dangers may look like."

Nevertheless, the list could worry parents unnecessarily, said Steve Pasierb, CEO of the Toy Association, a professional group of the toy industry.

"Everything that is sold in the United States must be submitted to the strictest regime in the world" for security testing, he said. A larger problem, he said, is the imitable toys appearing in online markets, which may not have been tested to the same extent as toys approved for sale in the United States. he noted.

"A counterfeit could have sharp edges, break easily, small parts," he said. "If it costs $ 19 and you find one for $ 9", it could be a counterfeit, he added.

Toy sales increase less quickly

The holiday season is the season for toy purchases and many retailers are expanding their toy lineup. Following the disappearance of Toys R Us earlier this year. Nevertheless, toys and electronic applications are under pressure as their sales rose 2% to $ 11.6 billion this year until September, according to NPD Group. This is half the rate of increase observed at the same time last year.

With movies and popular TV shows with children, it is not surprising that a few of them are on the list of toys to avoid from W.A.T.C.H. Among them are the Black Panther toy and the Power Ranger gadget, but some retro toys are also on the list, such as a Cabbage Patch Kid doll.

The United States recorded approximately 240,000 toy-related injuries in 2016, while 35 children died from toy-related injuries between 2014 and 2016, W.A.T.C.H. said, citing the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Every three minutes, a child is treated in an emergency room for a toy-related injury.

Parents and other consumers need to be wary of online shopping because they can not inspect the packaging closely and the toys themselves can obscure obvious risks, said the group. WATCH. recommend buying "defensive" toys by inspecting products for defects and bad designs.

"WATCH warns toy shoppers not to suggest a false sense of security that a toy is safe because it bears a familiar brand name on packaging or that it is not safe to wear. it is available at a well-known retailer, "said the group in its statement.

Here are the 10 toys W.A.T.C.H. Buyers should avoid this holiday season:

Nickelodeon Nella Princess Knight Pillow Pets Lites of Sleep: $ 19.99

This toy projects images of the night sky, marketed as a way to make the sunset fun. Yet, W.A.T.C.H. Even though it is marketed as a night light for infants, its packaging indicates that it is "not" intended for a crib. Other parts of the toy pose a potential for ingestion, and the manufacturer warns that a "battery acid leak" could be a hazard. The toy is found at Target and at other retailers, W.A.T.C.H. I said.

Nerf Vortex VTX Praxis Blaster: $ 34.99

In the wisdom of the classic holiday "A Christmas story", this toy gun could put you in trouble. That's what W.A.T.C.H says, which stated that the launch force of the toy presented a potential for injury to the eyes and face.

Marvel Black Panther Slash Claw: $ 9.99

This Hasbro toy is accompanied by a warning that children should not hit or swing people or animals, nor be used near fragile objects. Based on the popular film Marvel, the claw is sold to children 5 years and older who might be tempted to "reduce" the superhero they admire, W.A.T.C.H. I said.

Super Ninja Power Rangers Superstar Blade: $ 29.99

The toy encourages children to "get going," but this could cause injury to themselves or others through the plastic spring blade, W.A.T.C.H. I said. The package includes warnings about never hitting people with the toy, or swinging them or pricking them with them.

Patch Kids Dance Time Doll Doll: $ 14.99

This retro toy may appeal to Generation X and Generation X parents who want their children to relive the fun of Mom and Dad with the Cabbage Patch Kid phenomenon, but nostalgia probably does not include choking. The doll has a removable headband that can be ingested, W.A.T.C.H. I said.

Zoo Jamz Xylophone: $ 14.96

This toy, recommended for ages of 1.5 to 4 years, does not come with warnings, but W.A.T.C.H. It is said that the stick handle can be put in the mouth and potentially clog the airways of a young child.

Nici doll in Wonderland: Miniclara the ballerina: $ 24.99

This ballerina doll is intended for children from the age of 2 years, but it carries no warning. He comes with a stuffed kitten that can come off the doll and pose a choking hazard to the kids.

Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket: $ 19.99

Aimed at children 6 years and older, this rocket propulsion toy could result in eye or face injury. The toy works when a child stomps on an air cushion, forcing air into a foam rocket that rises. The toy contains warnings that this may result in "serious injury to the eyes or face".

Fruits to cut: $ 39.99

This toy, intended for children from the age of 2 years, comes with a "slicing knife" made of hard plastic. The knife could potentially create blunt trauma, W.A.T.C.H. I said.

Dog To Walk Dog To Hang Out: $ 14.99

Manufacturers continue to manufacture "pull toys" with ropes longer than 12 inches, which creates a risk of strangulation, W.A.T.C.H. I said. This toy has a string about 19 inches long, but it does not come with warnings. The toy is intended for children from the age of 12 months.