Every three minutes in the United States, a toy-related injury sends one child to the emergency room. From choking, suffocation, and ingestion injuries, to burns, broken bones, and even brain injuries, most incidents involving unsafe toys can be prevented. Staying informed about the most dangerous recalled toys and children’s products is the first step in ensuring your kids are safe.
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What Toys Have Been Recalled in 2024?
In 2024, several popular children’s toys have been recalled after causing injuries or posing significant safety risks to kids. While most of these toys have been pulled from store shelves, they may still be available online through shopping sites like Amazon and Temu. They may also continue to lurk on the shelves of second hand stores and even in your own child’s toy box.
Elongdi Magnetic Building Stick Sets Recalled
The Elongdi Magnetic Building Stick Sets, sold exclusively on Amazon, were recalled on December 19, 2024, because they violate federal safety regulations. When magnetic toys are ingested, the magnets can become attracted to one another or to other metal objects within the digestive system. They can twist or block the intestines, or cause perforations, infections, or blood poisoning. In severe cases, complications can result in death. Between 2017 and 2021, there were approximately 2,400 children treated in emergency rooms after ingesting magnets, and at least eight children died.
Water Beads CPSC Safety Alert
Water beads, which are sometimes included in craft kits or sold as sensory toys, can cause severe injuries or death if ingested. According to the CPSC safety warning, these tiny, and often colorful, balls can grow up to 100X their original size when they come in contact with liquid. Water beads that are ingested continue to grow within the child’s stomach or intestines, causing extreme discomfort, intestinal blockage, or fatality. When the miniature balls are inserted into ears, they can cause permanent damage and possible hearing loss.
Safety Warning: Electric Gel Ball Blaster Toy Guns
On December 12, 2024, the CPSC issued a product safety warning regarding NLFGUW Electric Gel Ball Blaster Toy Guns because they do not comply with federal safety regulations for projectile toys. The projectiles can cause severe eye injuries to children and adults. The seller, US TK, of China, has failed to respond to the agency’s request for a recall.
Fisher-Price Snuga Swings Recalled
On October 10, 2024, The CPSC recalled approximately 2.1 million Fisher-Price Snuga Swings because of suffocation risks. Between 2012 and 2022, five infants between the ages of 1 and 3 months died while using the product for sleeping. To help prevent injuries and deaths, parents or caregivers should cut off the headrest insert on the swing, never add blankets or other materials when using the product, and never leave babies unattended or allow them to sleep in the swing.
Yoto Mini Speakers Recalled
Originally recalled in April 2024, the Yoto Mini Speakers, sold online at us.yotoplay.com, Amazon.com, Target.com and maisonette.com, were recalled again on December 12, 2024. According to the CPSC, the product’s battery can overheat, causing the speaker to melt or catch fire, posing burn risks to consumers. The manufacturer is offering free battery replacement kits to affected consumers who request them.
Safety Warning: Magnetic Chess Games
On October 24, 2024, the CPSC issued a safety warning, alerting consumers about the dangers of Magnetic Chess Games sold by Auncley on Amazon.com. The games do not meet federal regulations for magnet toys, and the magnets can be deadly if ingested by children. Although the CPSC issued a violation notice to the seller, Auncley has not agreed to offer a remedy or recall the toys.
Bright Builder Fort Kits Recalled
The CPSC issued a recall on Intellio Toys’ Bright Builder, 100-piece fort building kits on September 12, 2024. The kits include flashlights with button cell batteries that may be accessible to young children. If the button cell batteries are ingested, they can cause severe internal chemical burns, other severe injuries, or death. The fort kits can still be used without the flashlights, and consumers can request a refund from Intellio Toys for between $10 and $15 – depending on the product you have.
How to Stay Updated About Dangerous Toys and Children’s Products
Before purchasing toys, parents, grandparents, and caregivers should review recall notices from trusted sources like the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Doing so can help identify toys with hidden dangers, such as small parts that detach easily, batteries that overheat, or materials containing harmful chemicals like lead or phthalates. Other helpful resources that list dangerous children’s products and toy recalls are:
By staying proactive about recalls and understanding your rights, you can better protect your family from the harm caused by unsafe toys.
Recalled Toys Aren’t the Only Children’s Product That Are Dangerous
Monitoring toy recalls is not the only action parents and caregivers should take to make sure their kids’ toys and other products are safe. Recalls are generally only issued after injuries or death occur, or when consumers identify hazards. Sadly, this typically only happens after these items are in the hands of our little ones. To prevent serious, or life-threatening injuries, parents should be on the lookout for dangerous toys before tragedy happens. This includes watching out for:
- Products with small parts or pieces that can easily breaks off and post a choking hazard
- Toys with magnets that can cause severe injuries and deaths if ingested
- Projectiles that can cause penetration injuries or harm the child’s eyes
- Baby products that pose entrapment or suffocation risks
- Children’s furniture that can easily tip over
- Children’s clothing, blankets, and plushie toys that are made from flammable materials
If your child is injured by a defective toy, you may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer or distributor. If you can prove a product defect caused the injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
A skilled personal injury attorney at Ankin Law in Chicago can help you hold negligent manufacturers and sellers accountable for the injuries their negligence causes.
