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RANT: Lazy top 10 list of 2008's most dangerous toysSubmitted by JoshB on 18 November, 2008 - 15:40. Otaku Culture
Every year some group you never heard of comes out with a top 10 list of dangerous toys. Usually that list is filled with products you never heard of, and never would buy anyway. I thought that some of the reasons these were bad toys were not quite accurate so I took a stab at them. The original list comes from a group called W.A.T.C.H. which stands for World Against Toys Causing Harm, inc. Supposedly they have been around since 1973. Who knew? Here's the list - my comments in Blue:
CollectionDX Says: The real danger here is that someone let these toys go to market. How horrendous are these? Sure, there is a legitimate concern with hair that is not adequately rooted. I like how the the criticism states "This hazard is not referenced anywhere on the product or product tags.". Yeah, like the factory is going to put a big "WE DID A SHITTY JOB ON THIS" sticker on the tag.
CollectionDX Says: Here's a tip for parents - when buying fake weapons for kids, DON'T BE SUPRISED IF THEY HIT PEOPLE WITH THEM. Of course there are potential impact injuries, they are frickin Nunchakus! The toy says that these are for ages 4 and up. I don't know about you, but I have a 4-year old and guess what - he's going to hit people with things, wether you give him the toy weapons or not.
CollectionDX Says: I can picture the little yellow noose hanging from the playpen mobile. Seriously though - W.A.T.C.H.'s logic is flawed. "Sold to be “your child’s best friend!”, it is intended for “infants” and thus, is a prime candidate for cribs and playpens." But the thing is, its not a crib toy. Nowhere does it state it is a crib toy. Its a toy you pull along the ground. Therefore, the cord can be as long as they want to make it. Parents, you have two options here - Keep long strings and things like that out of the crib, or cut the string if you are that paranoid (oh wait, you probably don't own scissors either - baby could get them)
CollectionDX Says: I've never heard of Battat Toys, but a visit to their website reveals the most garish warning about lead paint safety recalls. "Thou dost protest too much?" CDX knows that choking on toys is no laughing matter. Hell, our entire childhood was ruined because some kid in the 70's choked on a Battlestar Galactica missile. But seriously - this is probably some off-brand toy made in a sweatshop in China. Parents - use common sense when buying kids toys. If it looks cheap, it probably is for a reason.
CollectionDX Says: It doesn't take a scientist to figure this one out. "Despite the wording on the packaging and the book that the product has been safety tested for children “18 months+”, the tag attached to the plush toy indicates that it is “[r]ecommended for all age groups”." Clearly the stuffed animal was safety tested by some slave labor factory in China (hence the misspelling) and is fine for everyone, but everything else is fine for 18 months plus. My guess is that the doll was used in another toy and had its own safety test. Once again, teach your kids that if it is not food, don't put it in your mouth. Are you people even trying here? We have Nerf machine guns on the market and THIS is dangerous?
CollectionDX Says: This toy isn't dangerous, this toy is AWESOME. Who would not want to replicate Jackie Chan's major stunt in Armor of God 2?
They say "The box warns against using the ball on hills or near water, and notes that parental supervision is “required”. However, the toy itself indicates that adult supervision is only “recommended"". Come on people, seriously? This is the reason that this is unsafe?
CollectionDX Says:This is the one that got me all riled up in the first place. If you read the above correctly, the main issue W.A.T.C.H. has is that the package of TOY SKATES has a warning that a helmet is required, but no helmet is included. That makes sense. I bet they get all bent out of shape when their toy that requires batteries does not include them. Or how about when their bowl of cereal does not come with orange juice and toast to make it a balanced breakfast. This is why I hate lists like this - they are just plain lazy.
CollectionDX Says: If you visit the Netlink Enterprises, Inc. website, you will see that they sell Replica Guns, Swords, Mini Cannons, and.... the Wiggles? Yeah, ok they sell toys, but this isnt a toy, It's an Airsoft pellet gun. If its in the wrong section, its not the toys fault is it? Blame it on the crappy dated website. Oh, and I love the freeware Star Trek font on the menus. Great job guys.
CollectionDX Says: Essentially, you have a problem with a rubber band here, because if your big concern is people putting things into it other than the copter, well, kids have been flinging shit with rubber bands since they were invented. Yeah, they theoretically could be dangerous if pointed at someone's eye, but so could crayons, and we don't see people freaking out over those, do we?
CollectionDX Says: Here's a thought - lets compile a top 10 list of dangerous toys from stores that nobody has ever heard of or shopped at. How about a real list, with toys people actually have a chance of coming across? How about taking major toy makers to task for putting out potentially dangerous products. Personally, I think it is lazy journalism to put out a list like this. As for the actual toy - rubber tires are flexible, AND have holes in them. They are like lifesavers candy, only flexible. Just wait a few days and the kid will poop them out. The also mention that the “choking hazard” warning appears only on the display box, and not on the individual toys. Well, how about we change the school bus letters and put a big CHOKING HAZARD sign on the side. In fact, lets make them like cigatette packages, and have pictures of dead kids on the side of the vehicles.
Where is Irwin Mainway when you need him, eh? "This must be settled the way nature intended....with a vicious, bloody fight!" |
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Oh my god dude,I almost spit out my coffee when I saw the nunchucks. Nunchucks or any other weapons associated with the art of ninjitsu may cause injury. Remember kids,knowing is half the battle!