Products and toys created for children are typically examined critically for defects and potential safety hazards by safety regulators and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Unfortunately, many products that have made it onto store shelves can cause serious injury to children and are only recalled once an accident has occurred. Unintentional injury remains the leading cause of death among children ages 14 and under in the U.S., with more than a third of those injuries occurring in the home.
Many children’s products may not appear dangerous, but if the products are swallowed or ingested, the child may suffer serious injury or even death. Issues of child safety are a major concern of regulatory agencies and manufacturers.
The CPSC has identified the following items as particularly dangerous for children:
- Toys with magnetic pieces that may come loose
- Plastics and toys containing lead paint
- Bean bag chairs with zippers that can open and expose the filling fibers
Defective Children’s Products
One of the most common safety issues caused by dangerous children’s products is the risk of a choking or suffocation hazard from small parts that may break off and be swallowed by a child. Other products may pose a laceration hazard from sharp edges, while still others can pose a falling hazard if certain components become loose or detach, such as often occurs with defective highchairs and cribs.
Children’s Product Recalls
An estimated two children’s products per week are recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) due to defective parts, a failure to meet federal child safety regulations, or other potential safety hazards. Even seemingly safe products such as baby bottles and pacifiers have resulted in choking and suffocation in children and infants.
The children’s products most commonly recalled for potential safety hazards or defective designs include:
- Cribs (especially drop-side cribs)
- Highchairs
- Pacifiers
- Bath seats and bath rings
- Children’s clothing
- Stair gates
- Strollers
- Toys with small parts