“Dangerous Toys,” Florida Justice Association Journal

By Adam J. Langino and Leslie M. Kroeger 

Every year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission releases its report on toy-related death and injuries. Fortunately, fatalities are not common. However, as practitioners, we must continue to be mindful of injuries to children. Even the closest watched child is susceptible to injury from a faulty toy, infant sling, crib, or stroller. And as we know from experience, many manufacturers do not promote recalls, leaving parents and consumers unaware that a dangerous product could be in the home.

The most recent reporting by the CPSC captures the 2015 toy-related deaths and injuries. While fatality information is often delayed due to death certificate reporting, there were a total of 11 reports identified as toy-related deaths among children younger than 15 years old. Riding toys encompassed the majority of those deaths, all of which were due to motor vehicle involvement.

In addition in 2015, we know that an estimated 254,200 toy-related injuries were significant enough to require treatment in emergency rooms. Of those, 41% were classified as lacerations, contusions, or abrasions, with males more often injured than females accounting for 58% of the ER related injuries; 3% of the ER related injuries were severe enough to require hospital stays.

The full article can be read here.