The Top 10 Most Dangerous Recalled Toys of All Time

Every year, the hottest toys make headlines. Unfortunately, some defective toys may cause serious injuries and accidents, yet they continue to make the news. You can file a product liability lawsuit when a dangerous toy causes injuries. Product liability claims hold manufacturers accountable for defective products.

Dangerous toys and consumer products are nothing new. For decades, manufacturers have taken shortcuts that put the public at risk. The following list includes 10 of the most dangerous recalled children’s toys. For legal advice about dangerous toy injuries, talk to a product liability lawyer.

Criteria for the Most Dangerous Toy Recalls

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were about 1.8 million toy-related injuries treated at emergency rooms from 2016 to 2023. Toy-related injuries have increased over the past few years. The most common fatal toy-related accidents involve choking hazards, drowning, and asphyxia.

Both the government and manufacturers can issue a recall. The CPSC tracks toy injury reports and can issue a mandatory recall if they find the product unsafe. Manufacturers can also make their own recalls. Recalls limit liability for future accidents and injuries caused by defective products.

Aqua Dots and Poisoning

Aqua Dots were small, colorful beads that were part of a multidimensional design craft kit. However, these beads included gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in their chemical compound. GHB is also well-known as a date rape drug. Children who ingested Aqua Dots suffered respiratory depression and seizures. Spin Master Corporation recalled 4.2 million units and suspended the toy from the market in November 2007.

Buckyball Magnet Toys

Buckyballs are strong magnetic balls that children can manipulate with their hands and build shapes. Children could easily swallow these magnetic balls. In the digestive system, the magnets attract each other through the intestines, creating a danger of bowel perforation or blockage. Similar problems happened with Magnetix sets. Manufacturers recalled about three million of the toy sets after dozens of children required medical care.

Fisher-Price Power Wheels Motorcycle

Fisher-Price mini motorcycles were dangerous machines that put children at risk of serious accidents. On certain models, the accelerator jammed and became stuck, leading to crashes. Children suffered injuries such as lacerations, sprains, and broken bones. Fisher-Price recalled 218,000 Power Wheels motorcycles and took the toy off the market in 2000.

Hoverboard Fire Injuries

Hoverboards typically run on rechargeable batteries. Some of the defective hoverboards had defective battery packs that could explode or catch fire. Children suffered burn injuries, smoke inhalation, and even fatalities from house fires. There were multiple brand recalls from various hoverboards sold on Amazon and other online retailers.

Easy-Bake Oven by Hasbro

Easy-Bake toy ovens have been popular since the 1950s. Recent Hasbro models continue to have serious defects. Several children suffered burn injuries when their fingers got caught in the hot toy oven. A defective front-loading oven would trap tiny hands. This inflicted third-degree burns on children’s hands and fingers. One five-year-old girl required a partial finger amputation. Hasbro recalled about one million ovens in 2007.

Jarts Lawn Darts

Jarts are a brand of lawn dart. People throw these heavy metal projectiles in the air to make them stick in the lawn. Unfortunately, they could also injure hands, necks, and body parts. Lawn darts were responsible for 6,700 injuries and four deaths in the 1980s. The popular holiday season toys were permanently banned in all varieties in 1988.

Snacktime Cabbage Patch Dolls by Mattel

These dolls were widely sought-after Cabbage Patch Kids of the 1980s and 90s. Snacktime dolls had automated jaws that would chew whatever was in their mouths. Dozens of children suffered hand and finger injuries from the mechanical jaws. Mattel removed the Snacktime kids dolls from retail shelves in 1997.

Battlestar Galactica Missile Launcher

In 1978, Mattel launched a series of Battlestar Galactica toy missile launchers. These included the Viper, the Cylon Raider, the Scarab, and the Stellar Probe. In 1979, a child reportedly died after choking on one of the missile launchers. The death and other injuries prompted Mattel to suspend production and recall all Battlestar models.

The Chicken Limbo Party Game

The Chicken Limbo Party game by Milton Bradley lacked sturdy support poles. With the slightest touch, the entire apparatus could shake and collapse on children and bystanders. There were 46 reports of injuries, including bumps, bruises, welts, chipped teeth, and one fractured foot. Milton Bradley recalled 461,000 toys and suspended all sales in 2006.

Kick Scooters and Fall Injuries

Thousands of different kick scooters and e-scooters have been subject to safety recalls over the past decade. Segway, Razor, and Schwinn electric scooters were responsible for serious fall injuries. The handles and brakes could detach, leaving children unable to control the scooter. Other electric scooters and e-bikes had defective battery packs. The rechargeable battery packs could suddenly ignite, causing serious burn injuries.

Tips for Protecting Your Child From Dangerous Toys

Choking and suffocation are some of the most common fatal toy dangers. Avoid toys with small parts that children can put in their mouths and swallow. Watch out for toys with sharp edges and exposed wiring. Read warning labels to make sure the toys are age-appropriate and meet toy safety standards.

Parents can check the CPSC product safety warning page to find out about recalls involving dangerous kids’ toys. You can search by toy category, including bicycles, trampolines, and inflatable toys. Your state department of health may have more information about dangerous toys to watch out for.

If your child has a serious injury because of a defective toy, report it to the CPSC.

Contact a Product Liability Lawyer

Contact a product liability lawyer to find out about your legal options. A product liability attorney can file a lawsuit to get compensation for your child’s injuries. You have a limited time frame to file a product liability claim. Contact a product liability lawyer for legal advice after a defective toy injury.