As a parent or a caretaker for a child, it’s hard to keep track of everything your child has or does. No matter how attentive you are, you can still miss key signs that your child is playing with a dangerous toy. Even though the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has regulations for toys and monitors their production, sometimes dangerous toys slip through the cracks.
Even if you were vigilant and tried to keep your child safe, if a toy manufacturer was negligent, your child could be harmed by their toy. When your child is harmed by a toy that was defective or did not follow CPSC guidelines, you should hold the toy company or manufacturer responsible for their negligence. An experienced product liability lawyer from Solomon Law Group will support you through your claim and get justice for you and your child.
Dangerous Aspects of Children’s Toys to Look For
Since they created the guidelines to keep toys safe, CPSC has recommendations for parents or other caretakers to recognize if a toy is dangerous. Some might be more obvious than others, but it’s important to fully inspect your child’s toy before giving it to them to play with. Even though toys have to be approved for production, there still is a chance that the toy could be defective and cause harm to your child.
Here are the factors that CPSC suggests you take into consideration before allowing your child to play with a toy that might be dangerous to them:
- Sharp edges and points. Toys shouldn’t have sharp metal or glass edges that can cut a child. Additionally, if toys break or wear down over time, sharp points could be exposed and cut or poke your child.
- Small parts. For toys intended for children under three, it’s against the law to have small parts that could be choking hazards. Some toys have small parts that you don’t even consider, like the eyes on teddy bears or the squeakers in noisy toys, so you have to be vigilant when your child plays with toys with small parts that aren’t easily removed. If they find a way to remove those parts, they could choke.
- Not big enough. For infant toys specifically, not only can toys not have small parts, but as a whole they can’t be too small. Infant toys cannot be small enough to fit completely in a baby’s mouth and can’t get stuck into the baby’s throat.
- Cords and strings. Cords and strings from toys can get wrapped around a child’s neck and cause strangulation. These can also be choking hazards if swallowed.
- Loud noises. When a toy creates a loud noise, like poppers, they can damage your child’s hearing since their ears are more sensitive than an adult’s. The noise can also be scary and cause emotional distress for your child.
- Projectiles. Toys that launch parts or fly through the air can be dangerous because projectiles can harm your child, especially if they fly into their eyes. When those projectiles have sharp points, they can be even more dangerous, although many children’s toys have soft tips or cork covers to prevent injury.
- Electricity. Electric toys can be very dangerous. There are many parts to monitor, as well as temperature and wiring. Usually, electric toys should be for children over eight years old because they are more cognizant of the danger.
Another important aspect of vetting your child’s toys is to pay attention to the age recommendation on the box. Use your best judgement, but those age recommendations are there for a reason. So if your child is three years old, you might not want to blindly give your toddler a toy meant for children eight years and up because there might be parts that can be swallowed or are dangerous for smaller children. As always, supervising your child while they play with toys is your best approach to keeping them safe.
Solomon Law Group Can Help You and Your Family
When a defective toy hurts your child, you could feel betrayed and confused. It’s not your fault—the toy manufacturer, distributor, or seller is most likely the party at fault for making a dangerous toy that your child played with. When another party’s negligence causes a toy to be defective and injure your child, they should be held responsible for that negligence.
At Solomon Law Group in Columbia, SC, our experienced product liability lawyer will hold that party accountable for you so that you can get the justice you deserve. We will help you seek compensation for the damage that the defective toy caused so that you and your child are better equipped to get back to your normal lives. Contact us today so that we can get started on your potential claim.
