Jacksonville Injury Attorney Blog
Every year, hundreds of toys and games are recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission because they are found to be unsafe. How can you ensure that the toys and games your children have are safe, especially now with the myriad of new toys they received during the holidays?
Determining toy safety can be tricky because it is not always evident that a toy can be dangerous. As consumers, we must take a “buyer beware” attitude to purchasing safe toys whether purchased in Jacksonville, online or anywhere in the country.
Even toys that may seem to pose no threat to children may have some hidden risks. For example, many times there are choking hazards that are not obvious to consumers. Just before Christmas 2012, a toy stuffed animal for infants was recalled due to small beads in the center of the toy, which if released, could present a choking hazard to small children. This particular play item is designed to attach to a car seat or stroller, giving the child easy and often unsupervised access to it. More than 45,000 of these defective toys have been recalled because the manufacturer received several reports of the small beads coming loose from the body of the stuffed animal.
Most retailers will remove a defective product from its shelves, but it is still important for consumers to do their own research when purchasing a toy for a child. Even if a toy is age appropriate for the child, inspect it for small parts that can easily be removed. It is also a good idea to check the toy for other hazards, such as sharp edges, cords that could strangle, or exposure to toxic chemicals. Many young children are prone to placing small objects in their mouths and sometimes even their little noses or ears. Parents should supervise their children while playing with new toys to make sure they do not present any risks.
The U.S. Public Interest Research Group recently released its 27th Annual Trouble in Toyland report, which reveals a list of hazardous toys still on store shelves.To find out if a toy has been recalled, go Parents.com Recall Finder or the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website.
If your child is suffering has been injured while playing with a defective toy or product anywhere in the northeast florida or Jacksonville area he or she may be entitled to compensation for personal injury, medical expenses and pain and suffering from the manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer. Contact our Jacksonville product liability attorneys for a free, no obligation consultation. We are happy to meet you at a location convenient to you and you pay us nothing unless we make a recovery on your behalf.