Dangerous toys ID'd
Consumer safety group picks its 10 worst of 2004, toy industry shrugs off list.
Some of them make sense: The usual choking hazards from buttons and things. I can see how toddlers on trampolines might cause concern.
But this one is just comical:
3 Gun Squad Set - UZ-1 Commando Machine Gun
Age Recommendation: "Not for children under 3 years"
Warnings: "CHOKING HAZARD-Small parts. Not for children under 3 years"
Manufacturer: 411 Toys
SRP: $14.95 (set of 3)
WATCH says: "In today's world, there is no excuse for outfitting children with realistic toy weapons designed to produce dangerous and unnecessary thrills."
Children experiencing thrills while playing? Dear God, no! AAAAAUUGGGHHH!
EDIT: Ok, that's just too good to let go. I'm going to change the title of my blog now...
2 comments:
I can see how an adult with a challenging or dangerous job might have necessary thrills. Like a cop surviving a shoot out or high speed chase; that's probably necessarily thrilling. Or an emergency room doctor saving a life. Again, there's got to be an adrenalin spike with that. But... what kind of thrill would be absolutely necessary for a kid?
Additional information: Just in case anyone wonders whether they might be objecting to the under-3 choking hazard on this toy, here's the actual WATCH page on it.
HAZARD: REALISTIC TOY WEAPONRY!
W.A.T.C.H. OUT! In today’s world, there is no excuse for outfitting children with realistic toy weapons designed to produce dangerous and unnecessary thrills. Existing regulations addressing the hazards associated with such “toys” are inadequate. Such detailed replicas should never be sold as toys, and have been a concern of public safety officials for many years.
In other words, they appear to think we need new regulations outlawing "detailed replicas" (whatever that means, specifically) of real weapons.
You know, when I was a child, I can remember playing with any number of "detailed replicas" of revolvers, M-16s, swords, knives, and bolt-action rifles (though, admittedly, I tended to prefer the detailed replicas of Star Wars weapons). I don't think I've turned out to be a social liability...
Perhaps when I was young, it was okay, but "in today's world, there is no excuse".
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