Fidget spinners may be the most popular toy this summer, but they could also be the most dangerous.
The World Against Toys Causing Harm Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.) has named fidget spinners the most dangerous summer toy of 2017in their seasonal press release.
Titled “Top 10 summer safety traps for 2017”, the list has fidget spinners as the number one concern for children due to their ubiquity and choking risk. Just recently, a 10-year-old girl required emergency surgery after lodging a piece from a fidget spinner in her esophagus.
“Do not be lulled into a false sense of security that a toy is safe simply because it is popular,” said Joan E. Siff, President of W.A.T.C.H.
The warning comes as fidget spinners face increased scrutiny across the globe. The toys, marketed to younger children to reduce anxiety and improve focus, contain many small parts and some have sharp edges that could prove hazardous to kids.
“There is not always safety in numbers: Despite their popularity, fidget spinners and other fad toys may not be safe for children,” according to the press release.
via Jared Mecham on YouTube
Another popular toy, hoverboards, was third on the list of hazards. These twin-wheeled boards utilize an internal gyroscope for balance and lithium-ion batteries for power. Those batteries pose a potential fire hazard if damaged or defective.
James A. Swartz, director of W.A.T.C.H., said in the press release that “hoverboards continue to be linked to fires, children are dying – – with no sense of urgency on the part of the manufacturers and retailers.”
As evidence, Swartz cites a recent recall of hoverboards. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall on LayZ Board self-balancing scooters (hoverboards) after two young girls in Pennsylvania died in a fire caused by a charging battery.
The release added that while it may be easy to purchase toys and other products online, it can be difficult to keep track of what products are being recalled. Most consumers don’t go back to the product’s website after purchase to see if the product is part of a defective batch and is being recalled for safety concerns.
Swartz added, “Consumers may expect that there are checks and balances in place to prevent the online sale of recalled toys, toys already deemed to be unsafe, but unfortunately this is usually not the case.”
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