Fidget Spinners Make List Of Dangerous Summer Toys
BOSTON (CBS) – A consumer watchdog group is out with its annual list of dangerous summer hazards, and there's a particular focus on one of the hottest toys around.
Fidget spinners, tiny twirling gadgets that spin on your finger, carry a choking risk with potentially deadly consequences, World Against Toys Causing Harm says. In one recent case, a child choked on a piece of the spinner and had to have it surgically removed.
"Just because a toy or activity is popular, does not mean it is safe," W.A.T.C.H. President Joan Siff said. "Some of the injuries include parts of fidget spinners falling off, and children are ingesting them."
Fidget spinners are supposed to help kids focus, but some schools are banning them because of the distraction they can pose.
Also landing on this list are non-motorized scooters, which cause the most toy-related injuries, according to Boston-based W.A.T.C.H. They sent more than 45,000 kids to the emergency room in 2015, and parents should make sure that children riding them are wearing safety gear and staying away from traffic.
Another concern for W.A.T.C.H. are toys that can cause impact or eye injuries. Both plastic swords and toy guns that fire projectiles like water or foam darts make the list.
The group also want to remind parents of summertime activities like swimming and jumping on trampolines, where children could get seriously hurt.
See the full list of "Summer Safety Traps" here.
The Toy Association released a statement Wednesday in response to the report, claiming that W.A.T.C.H. "continues to needlessly frighten parents with confusing and misleading information."
"By making broad statements in their report, W.A.T.C.H. fails to mention important facts and advice about toy and play safety to help parents make smart choices – and rest assured, knowing that all toys on store shelves are subject to more than 100 safety tests and standards required by federal law," the association said.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports: