Safety: New report reveals '10 worst toys' on store shelves this holiday

The holidays are upon us, and while many are shopping for gifts to put under the Christmas tree, a recent report supporting toy safety and consumer awareness named the '10 worst toys' on the market during the 2022 holiday. 

Nationally known trial attorneys and consumer advocates Joan E. Siff and James A. Swartz oversee the non-profit called W.A.T.C.H, which is the acronym for World Against Toys Causing Harm, to support safety awareness for consumers to protect children from harm or, in extreme cases death. An estimated 198,000 toy-related injuries in the U.S. in 2020, according to the latest statistics from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, stated the report, adding that 51 children died from toy-related incidents from 2018 to 2020. 

The top 10 worst toys this holiday for potential child injuries, as listed in the report, included the Cocomelon Musical Learning Watch for battery ingestion injuries, the Zeus Lion for ingestion and aspiration concerns and the Bunny Rabbit Cuddly Pillow as a potential suffocation risk. 

The toys topping the list for choking injuries included the Li’l Woodzeez Tickle-Your-Taste-Buds Bakery, the Dingray Musical Bath Toy and the Pop’n Fidget Spinners. 

Topping the list for eye and facial injuries included the Nerf Pro Gelfire Mythic Blasters, the Black Panther Wakanda Battle Claws and the Disney Raya’s Action & Adventure Sword for potential blunt force and eye injuries.

Ooze Labs Chemistry Station also made the top 10 list for potential chemical-related injuries. 

The W.A.T.C.H. report identifies hazards in the top 10 listed toys from recent recalls, reported injuries and potential hazards found in toys available for purchase on store shelves, a portion of the report explains, adding that the fourth leading cause of calls to the poison control center in the U.S. for children five and under is foreign body ingestion, such as batteries. In addition, choking on a foreign object is one of the most significant contributors to toy-related injuries and deaths in children.