Consumer advocate group reveals its ‘10 Worst Toys’ for holiday season

Lindsey Thorpe,Frank O'Laughlin
·2 min read

World Against Toys Causing Harm, also known as W.A.T.C.H., is warning parents of the dangers of purchasing potentially harmful toys this holiday season.

At a press conference on Wednesday morning, W.A.T.C.H. revealed its full list of nominees for the “10 Worst Toys” of 2022.

Those toys and the concerns they present are as follows, according to the consumer advocacy group:

  • Cocomelon Musical Learning Watch: Potential for battery ingestion injuries

  • Disney Raya’s Action & Adventure Sword: Potential for blunt force and eye injuries

  • Li’l Woodzeez Tickle-Your-Taste-Buds Bakery: Potential for choking injuries

  • Zeus Lion: Potential for ingestion/aspiration injuries

  • Dingray Musical Bath Toy: Potential for ingestion and choking injuries

  • Ooze Labs Chemistry Station: Potential for chemical-related injuries

  • Bunny Rabbit Cuddly Pillow: Potential for suffocation

  • Pop’n Fidget Spinners: Potential for choking injuries

  • Nerf Pro Gelfire Mythic Blasters: Potential for eye and facial injuries

  • Black Panther Wakanda Battle Claws: Potential for eye and facial injuries

“Although intended for fun and entertainment, many toys contain hidden hazards unnecessarily putting children at risk of injury or death emphasizing the necessity for more stringent regulation of the toy industry,” a W.A.T.C.H. spokesperson said.

However, according to The Toy Association, all toys sold in the U.S. must first meet dozens of safety tests and standards before reaching the hands of children.

In a statement, They Toy Association said, “Each year, W.A.T.C.H.’s ‘worst toys’ list comes out near the holiday season, needlessly frightening parents and caregivers with misinformation...What’s important to know is that by law, all toys sold in the United States must first meet 100+ rigorous safety tests and standards before reaching consumers.”

W.A.T.C.H. maintains that more tools are needed to oversee a $25 billion toy industry and ensure the manufacture of safe products for children.

Data provided the Consumer Product Safety Commission and cited by W.A.TC.H. showed an estimated 198,000 toy-related injuries in the U.S. in 2020 and a reported 51 deaths from toy-related incidents from 2018 to 2020.

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