By Kathleen F. Beers, Esq.
Toy manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that their products are safe for children. A “toy” is defined
as any object designed, manufactured, or marketed for play by children under the age of 14.
According to a Statista report, 2023 saw a significant increase in recalls of children’s products, with 101
items recalled compared to previous years, highlighting ongoing safety concerns. The peak of product
recalls occurred in 2007 and 2008, with 200 recalls each year.
In the United States, a child or teenager under 18 is treated in an emergency department every three
minutes for a toy-related injury, as reported by Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH). Their findings
reveal:
– Over half of these injuries involve children under the age of five.
– Nearly 14 young children are treated daily for injuries related to swallowing or inhaling parts of toys.
– Riding toys are responsible for more than 40% of toy-related injuries among children aged 5 to 17.
While toys are designed to facilitate learning, development, and exploration, some can pose serious
dangers.
Although most toys are safe, injuries can occur due to design flaws or misuse that does not adhere to the
manufacturer’s instructions.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s 2023 report on toy-related fatalities indicates that there were
11 toy-related deaths in 2022 among children aged 14 and younger. The causes of these fatalities
included:
– Choking on bouncy balls (2 fatalities)
– Choking on other types of balls (3 fatalities)
– A motor vehicle collision involving an unpowered scooter (1 fatality)
– Various other toys, including a powered riding toy, stuffed animal, balloon, tricycle, and toy magnets (5
fatalities)
The ages of the affected children ranged from seven months to ten years. Additionally, an estimated
209,500 toy-related injuries were treated in hospital emergency departments in 2022, with males
accounting for 54% of these injuries. Of these injuries, 76% were among children aged 14 and younger,
69% involved children aged 12 and younger, and 38% involved children aged 4 and younger.
To help prevent injuries, here are some essential safety tips for toy use:
1. Check for small parts, sharp edges, cords, and strings.
2. Avoid toys with magnets that can be swallowed.
3. Choose toys without batteries.
4. Supervise children while they play with toys.
If a defective toy causes harm to your child, you may have a legitimate claim for damages under New
Jersey product liability laws.
Cooper Levenson is a full-service law firm established in 1957. Kathleen F. Beers, Esq. handles personal injury law and can be reached at kbeers@cooperlevenson.com or (609) 572-7570.
