W.A.T.C.H. (World Against Toys Causing Harm) has revealed its list for the “10 Worst Toys of 2017”. These toys are nominated because they are potentially hazardous and shouldn’t be given to children. The toys are available online as well as in retail stores, so these are definitely ones to avoid. Read on to find out The 10 Worst Toys for 2017:

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Here are W.A.T.C.H.’S 2017 Nominees for “10 Worst Toys Of 2017”

Hallmark Itty Bittys Baby Stacking Toy

Age recommendation? This Disney-themed stacking toy with four rattling rings is sold without age recommendations or warnings.

Any warnings? No warnings are provided.

What’s the hazard? Potential for choking injuries.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall notice on August 31, 2017 due to “fabric hats and bows that can detach, posing a choking hazard.”

Tolo Toys Pull Along Pony

Age Recommendation: “12m+”

Any warnings? No warnings are provided.

What’s the hazard? Potential for strangulation or entanglement injuries.

Despite the industry’s standard requiring strings on playpen and crib toys to be less than 12 inches in length, manufacturers are still permitted to market “pull toys” such as the “Pull Along Pony” with a cord measuring approximately 19 inches.

Recommended reading Hot Toys for Christmas 2017

Mattel Wonder Woman Battle-Action Sword

Age Recommendation: “6+”

Any warnings? Warnings on the toy include: “WARNING: small parts may be generated” and battery safety warnings.

What’s the hazard? Potential is for blunt force injuries. With this toy, children are encouraged to bear arms, like a popular comic book and movie character, to engage in “fighting alongside men in a war to end all wars. …”

The rigid plastic sword blade has the potential to cause facial or other impact injuries.

Kipp Brothers Hand Fidgetz Spinners

Any warnings? “WARNING: This product is a novelty gift item. It is not intended to be used as a toy” (On removable sticker)

What’s the hazard? Potential for choking injuries. Fidget Spinners, like these bright-colored versions, can be found in retail toy aisles. These spinners remain popular with children of all ages, and some present potential small parts hazards.

Spider-Man Spider-Drone Official Movie Edition

Age Recommendation: “Ages 12+”

Any warnings? Warnings include “Drone has rotating blades that move at high speed, posing danger of… injury; “Keep spinning rotors away from fingers, hair, eyes, and other body parts”; and other cautions/warnings on package/package insert.

What’s the hazard? Potential for eye and body impact injuries. This “official movie edition” remote-control drone, based on the well known Spiderman Superhero franchise, is sold for use by children. The “performance drone”, designed to launch into the air powered by multiple rotating rotor blades is accompanied by numerous warnings, including the potential for “damage or injury”.

Recommended reading Toy Safety: a Guide for Parents

Hasbro Nerf Zombie STrike Dreadbolt Crossbow

Age Recommendation: “Age 8+”

Any warnings? Warnings include “Do not aim or shoot at eyes or face of people or animals”, and other cautions/warnings on product, package, and package insert.

What’s the hazard? Potential for eye injuries. Children as young as 8 are encouraged to load “arrows” into the “deadbolt” crossbow, pull back the “primary pressurized lever” and fire the projectiles in order to “strike back” at “zombies.” The force of the arrow launch presents the potential for eye and facial injuries.

Slackers Slackline Classic Series Kit

Age Recommendation: “Ages 5+” (package); “Safe for all ages” (package insert)

Any warnings? “WARNING: strangulation hazard”; “CAUTION: Remember a Slackline can be a potentially dangerous piece of equipment and can cause serious injury or even death”, and other warnings/cautions

What’s the hazard? Potential for strangulation and fall-related injuries. This Slackline is marketed for “all ages” according to a package insert, providing a tightrope-like device intended to be anchored between two trees. The manufacturer warns of the potential for “severe injury”, including “a strangulation hazard, especially with children.”

Plan Toys Oval Xylophone

Age Recommendation: “12m+”

Any warnings? None

What’s the hazard? Potential for swallowing or choking injuries. This multicoloured musical instrument is sold for babies as young as 12 months old. The manufacturer provides no warnings regarding the slender, rigid 9½” long drumstick handle, which has the potential to be mouthed and block a child’s airway.

Jetts Heel Wheels

Age Recommendation: “8+”

Any warnings? Warnings include “USING HEEL WHEELS CAN BE A DANGEROUS ACTIVITY AND MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH. … USE AT YOUR OWN RISK….” and numerous other warnings on package/package insert.

What’s the hazard? Potential for blunt impact and burn injuries. “Heel Wheels” are marketed to be strapped to heels of children’s shoes so footwear can be transformed into a type of rear-wheel roller skate. The manufacturer adds “real sparking” action to the “Jetts” with “skid pads”, as evidenced by numerous warnings, including: “Keep sparks away from eyes, hair, exposed skin and clothing. Sparks can burn.”

Melissa & Doug Brianna Baby Doll

Age Recommendation: “Ages 18 Months+”

Any warnings? None

What’s the hazard? Potential for choking injuries. These “huggable, soft” dolls, marketed for babies as young as 18 months old, have “removable clothing.” The pink ponytail holders are also removable, presenting the potential for ingesting and choking.

General advice on toys and hazards

W.A.T.C.H. also has a list of toy hazards to look out for:

• Toys Marketed On The Internet, without warnings, instructions or age recommendations posted on the website.
• Battery Operated Toys For Children Under 8 Years Of Age since batteries may leak, overheat and explode.
• Toys With “Fur” Or “Hair”, including dolls and stuffed animals, that can be ingested and aspirated by oral age children.
• Toys With Small Removable Attachments at the end of laces and strings (e.g., bells, knobs, etc.).
• Projectile Toys, including dart guns, sling shots, and pea-shooters which shoot objects and can cause eye injuries and often blindness.
• Toys With Pointed Tips, And Blunt Or Sharp Edges that could crush, cut or puncture children’s skin.
• Toys With Strings Longer Than 6 Inches which could strangle small children.
• Crib Or Playpen Toys which are to be strung across cribs or playpens. This type of toy has resulted in strangulation deaths and injuries.
• Toys Marketed With Other Product Lines, such as food, clothing, books, cassettes and videos which could have dangerous designs and are often sold with no warnings, instructions or age recommendations.
• Toys Composed Of Flammable Material which will readily ignite when exposed to heat or flame.
• Realistic Looking Toy Weapons including guns, dart guns, Ninja weaponry, swords, toy cleavers, knives, and crossbows which promote violence.
• Toys Which Require Electricity to function and do not have step-down transformers to reduce risk of shock and electrocution.
• Toys With Small Parts that can be swallowed or aspirated, causing choking.
• Long Handled Toys For Children Up To 4 Years Of Age due to a tendency of such children to place these toys in their mouths and choke.
• Toys With Toxic Surfaces Or Components that have the potential to be ingested or cause skin irritations (e.g., some children’s’ play make up kits have components which contain ferrocyanide, a known poison)

Over to you now. Were you tempted before reading this to buy any of the worst toys on the list? Do you know anyone who has? Tell us in the comments below.