The World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.), a Massachusetts charitable non-profit corporation, has announced its annual "Top 10 Worst Toys" list for 2009. Popular toys such as Zhu Zhu Pets are not on the list, but a foam rocket launcher, children's book and Batman and Wolverine action figures are among the most dangerous toys listed for 2009.
Among the items on the 2009 list were toys that the group said could cause serious eye or head injuries, choking or strangulation.
The toys included a Disney-Pixar Wall-E foam rocket launcher, a Dark Knight Batman action figure from Mattel, and an X-Men Origins Slashin' Action Wolverine action figure from Hasbro.
The group W.A.T.C.H., said the Wolverine has pointed plastic claws protruding some 1.5 inches from each fist. The right claw pops out and retracts upon impact, while the left stays rigid upon contact.
A Playschool "Caterpillar" dump truck has a wheel that with a hard tug can be pulled off, potentially leaving a child as young as 18 months — the suggested age group for the toy — holding a 3-inch metal spike, according to the group.
Sometimes the warning on a package should be enough for a parent to re-think buying a toy for a child. For example, the packaging on the Moon Board Pogo Board states that an elastic cord, if pulled taut and then released, "could spring back and cause injury," and that inexperienced users should wear safety gear. Enough said.
For a full list of the 10 toys that have been named to the "Top 10 Worst Toys" for 2009, go to the W.A.T.C.H. site: http://toysafety.org
Cheryl Phillips
HULIQ.com
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