What You Need to Know About Defective Toys
With Halloween just a week away, we are about to kick off the holiday and gift giving season. Give your children the gift of safety by staying informed and acting as an educated consumer. Make sure to look out for defective and unsafe toys and steer clear of them while shopping.
As a parent, you cannot trust toy stores to do all the work for you. Did you know that even though many dangerous toys get recalled or banned, many retailers keep those same toys on shelves? These retailers are either taking their chances hoping they won’t get caught, or somehow uninformed about a particular recall.
With so much responsibility lying on their shoulders, many parents may be wondering what could potentially be a defective toy. A toy does not have to have been recalled to be potentially dangerous. Any toy that is a choking hazard may be dangerous. Toys that include balloons and small parts have the potential to cause choking.
A toy can also be dangerous due to its containment of hazardous chemicals or metals such as lead. Both inhalation and ingestion of small amounts of lead have been shown to cause brain damage in children. Now, there is even some research showing that lead may cause cancer.
Risk of entanglement and respiratory concerns are two other reasons parents should avoid a toy. Entanglement can be caused by toys containing mosquito nets or ropes and respiratory dangers may be caused by items like furry children’s blankets and certain stuffed animals. While these toys may be okay for some, children with asthma might be at risk.
Always remember to shop appropriately for your child’s age, look out for the hazards discussed above, and keep an eye out for news reports about the latest recalls. If your child has been injured by a defective toy, contact a Philadelphia injury lawyer right away.
