If this is the worst they can throw at us...

[Gem]

http://www.toysafety.org/worstToyList_index.html

W.A.T.C.H.'s annual "10 Worst Toys" list nominates representative toys with the potential to cause childhood injuries, or even death. W.A.T.C.H.'s annual "Toy Conference" has generated extensive national press and media coverage. Because of these efforts, and the positive response from both the media and the public, there have been many toy and product design changes. Founder Edward M. Swartz and W.A.T.C.H. have fearlessly exposed potentially dangerous toys to the general public. As a result, children’s lives have been saved.

W.A.T.C.H. OUT! These popular versions of traditional "Yo Yos" are sold in many bright colors, with long, stretchy rubber cords that have been the subject of numerous safety concerns this past year. The cords -- some marketed as "super stretchy... with bounce-back action!" and others sold for "fast action finger fun!" -- can wrap around a child's neck, with the potential to restrict or even cut off circulation. Such concerns have led to bans of this product in some foreign countries, as well as warnings issued by officials in some states. However, despite recent numerous reports of incidents in which the cord wrapped around children's necks, the CPSC has refused to issue a recall. In a press release, the Government advised that "parents who are concerned about this risk could, in addition to closely supervising the use of this toy, cut the cord off the toy... or take the toy away".

America's Top Ten Most Wanted.

It is utterly mind boggling as to how an accident with a yo-yo can occur.

Can anyone say, over-protective?

Gem

[Graham]

Originally posted by Gem
http://www.toysafety.org/worstToyList_index.html

America's Top Ten Most Wanted.

It is utterly mind boggling as to how an accident with a yo-yo can occur.

Can anyone say, over-protective?

Gem

I think they're actually banned in Ireland now and the UK.

It's just this one specific product they're concerned about though, not yo-yos in general. The problem is that the elastic on the cord is too powerful, IMO.

The Commission has received 186 reports of incidents in which the yo-yo ball toy's cord wrapped around a child's neck. In all cases, a parent or child successfully removed the cord from the child's neck. Although there were no lasting injuries, seven cases reported broken blood vessels affecting eyes, eyelids, cheeks, neck, scalp or the area behind the ears. The CPSC review states that CPSC staff "realizes that the reported incidents are uncomfortable and anxiety-provoking events for children and adults. However, based on information currently available, the CPSC staff has concluded that the toy poses a low risk of strangulation, especially for younger children." According to CPSC, based on the pattern of incidents, the number of products involved, the low likelihood of strangulation, and the technical staff's assessment of the risk of injury presented by the product, the yo-yo water ball toy does not meet congressionally mandated standards for product recall.

Link (http://www.safechild.net/for_parents/yoyoball.html)

So probably not going to kill anyone but not something you'd buy for your kids if you had any sense.

I don't see anything overprotective about that.

Graham

[Jon_in_london]

Better to wrap up your kid in two feet of cotton-wool and lock them in a padded room.

[Reginald]

In that case I am going to start a marketing drive on cotton wool.

Lets see "Cotton wool, the cartoon series" ...Lot's of fun and jollies with our oversized ear bud chum.

Burger chains can do small blobs of cotton wool as a promotional toy in their "hilarious Meal" range of children's food.

It's fun.....It's safe!!*

Buy some Today.







Batteries not included, colour may vary from that shown on packaging, contents may settle during storage, Not suitable for children under 36 months. May cause suffocation.

[Graham]

Originally posted by Jon_in_london
Better to wrap up your kid in two feet of cotton-wool and lock them in a padded room.

Don't be stupid, why would you give a child a toy that you know is dangerous?

Graham

[Reginald]

Seriously though I can think of a few toys that have been dangerous. Those two nylon balls on strings that you used to have to whack together.......they were pretty nasty.

I generally find myself in agreement with these types of bans. I know that many of them result from low quality goods coming in from the far east. It is important that these things don't get into the shops. Ultimately every single object can pose a threat, it is again a matter of applying common sense.

[Graham]

Originally posted by Reginald
. . . many of them result from low quality goods coming in from the far east.

From the OP link:

Manufacturer or Distributor:
Ja-Ru, Jacksonville, FL 32297 and
Imperial Toy Corporation, Los Angeles, CA 90021

D**n those inferior far eastern toy manufacturers!

It is important that these things don't get into the shops. Ultimately every single object can pose a threat, it is again a matter of applying common sense.

:clap:

Hear, hear. Granted the linked site in the OP was a little overdramatic (IMO) but it's important that this sort of information is publicised so that people can make an informed decision.

Graham

[shemp]

Responsible parents only let their kids play with safe toys like "Maimway Bag of Broken Glass."

[Scoobmaster]

Jeepers! If they are getting THAT overprotective I am in trouble!!!!

This does not bode well for my ongoing attempts to overturn the CPSC ban on JARTS (Lawn Darts) ;)

[repairman]

From your Link (http://www.safechild.net/for_parents/yoyoball.html) Graham

There are more than 30 types of Yo-Yo Water Balls made in China and Taiwan and sold in the United States by many different companies. They are popular children's party favors.


My kids both got these as rewards for a school fundraiser. They didn't last very long before there was water all over the couch

[hgc]

Originally posted by Reginald
Seriously though I can think of a few toys that have been dangerous. Those two nylon balls on strings that you used to have to whack together.......they were pretty nasty.
... Ah, Clackers. A truly fun and dangerous toy. Especially dangerous if wielded intentionally as a weapon -- just ask my older brother.

http://www.bigredtoybox.com/articles/clackers.jpg

[pgwenthold]

Originally posted by shemp
Responsible parents only let their kids play with safe toys like "Maimway Bag of Broken Glass."

Johnny Switchblade?

"I should mention that the actual name of that toy is 'Johnny Switchbland Cammando Punk.'"

Or something like that.

For some reason, I am thinking the same thing you are. Danny Akroyd with that styrofoam ball stuffed in his mouth.

Although at Halloween, I saw the old Halloween episode, where my favorite costume was "Invisible Pedestrian."

[Ladewig]

You can have your "invisible pedestrian"(1) costume; I'll take "Johnny - human torch"(2) any day of the week.

(1) not for blind kids. As Mr. Mainway said, "you know, we don't recommend this for blind kids. See, there's a warning right on the label - 'Invisible Pedestrian, Not For Blind Kids.'"

(2) oily rags and a lighter

[Tony]

The pussyfication of America continues.

[Skeptical Greg]

When I was a kid, some of the best toys were sticks.. I'm surprised they haven't been banned.. Good way to lose an eye..

[Nyarlathotep]

I am really torn on this one. Looking at the list there are a couple of toys that I wouldn't let my kids play with if they were still very small, but there were a couple that just made me roll my eyes.

I think web sites like this are good from an informational standpoint because every parent is going to draw the line between protecting their children and overprotection at a different place so information like this is good if you can sort through the hyperbole. What makes me cringe, though, is the efforts to get certain types of toys banned. If something is a clear and present danger to kids, that's one thing, if it might conceivably maybe pose a danger under certain rare circumstances, and they are STILL trying to get it banned, that's another and it's something I don't approve of, eithr as a parent or as a citizen.

Adults and children alike, we take risks every day of our life and every day we have to make decisions about which risks are acceptable and which are not. I support anything that helps me make those decisions for my kids, I don't think that that decision should be made for me, though.

[NoZed Avenger]

Its people like you that keep my little girl from enjoying the "Li'l People Silly Driller" and "Li'l People Rotary Saw," isn't it?!