Toys are for fun and learning! They’re supposed to bring joy to children. However, some toys are designed poorly, manufactured incorrectly, or contain small parts that pose a significant danger to young children. Choking, whether on a toy or food, is a terrifying risk for young children because they explore by putting everything in their mouths.
- What It Is: An injury (often severe) caused by a toy that is dangerous (defective) or by a child choking on a small toy part or another object.
- Causes:
- Small Parts & Choking Hazards: This is a huge concern. Toys intended for older children (often labeled 3+ years) may have small pieces that break off easily or are designed to be small; however, young children usually find them and put them in their mouths. Choking is a leading cause of injury for children under 4. Tragically, a child dies from choking on food every five days in the U.S., and small toy parts or other household items are also major non-food hazards.
- Toy Defects (Beyond Small Parts): The toy itself may be poorly made and break easily, have sharp edges that can cut, contain toxic materials (such as lead paint), or be unstable (like a ride-on toy that flips easily or a building block set that collapses).
- Improper Use/Supervision:Even safe toys can become dangerous if children aren’t closely supervised or if older children’s toys are left where little ones can easily reach them.
- Nursery Product Hazards: This extends beyond toys to items such as cribs, strollers, high chairs, and changing tables. Unsafe nursery products cause one in three injury deaths among children under 1 year of age.
- Statistics: In 2022, there were an estimated 209,500 toy-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments. These injuries range from minor cuts to severe choking incidents or broken bones. The https://www.cpsc.gov/ (CPSC) frequently issues recalls for toys and children’s products due to choking hazards, fire risks, or other safety concerns.
- Long-Term Impact: Choking, if not immediately relieved, can cause rapid oxygen loss to the brain, leading to severe and permanent brain damage, severe learning difficulties, or even death. Injuries from dangerous or defective toys can also include deep cuts requiring stitches and plastic surgery, broken bones, severe burns (e.g., from faulty electronics in toys), or concussions. If a toy company designed or manufactured a dangerous product, or a caregiver failed to watch closely enough, they can be held responsible for the harm caused.
If your child was seriously hurt by a dangerous toy or choked on an object due to someone else’s carelessness, please call our team of Child & Birth Injury Lawyers immediately. We can help you hold the responsible parties accountable.
