You stand in the toy store, shopping for a toddler. A toy label reads: Intended for Children Over Three Years of Age. It’s easy to assume the label means some children younger than three may lack the dexterity or intellectual development to use the toy. Unfortunately, consumers who have been misled in this way could be put in a devastating situation.
Warning labels help protect toy manufacturers in injury-related lawsuits, especially when toys contain warnings about parental supervision or limit the number of safe uses. However, that label is actually supposed to be warning consumers that the toy or its parts present a choking risk to a small child.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requires labeling on toys designed for children aged three to six that can pose a choking hazard for children under three. The labels must specifically state the reason why a toy is unsafe for children under age three, according to an article by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Even with these warning labels, the CPSC estimated that more than 250,000 toy-related injuries were treated in emergency departments and 11 toy-related deaths occurred in 2014.
There are many safe toys available in toy stores, but American consumers often receive insufficient warnings or inadequate information to evaluate the toys they purchase for their children. Because of these shortcomings, it’s up to a child’s guardian to arm themselves with as much information as possible in order to determine if a toy is safe.
If your child sustained a toy-related injury, our lawyers can get the answers you need. Contact our firm today for assistance.
