Every year since 1973, WATCH (World Against Toys Causing Harm) has created a list of the top 10 worst toys for that year.? Although I don’t agree with all of their selections, I thought I’d pass along some of the toys on the list for 2008.

• Walk’N Sounds Digger the Dog – The toy is intended for young children, but the long walking string is a choking hazard.? The group points out that according to federal law, all strings on pull toys are supposed to be no longer than 12 inches.? This string is 26.? I truly had no clue that the government even regulated this.
• Meadow Mystery Sounds Book with Cuddly Pooh – According to the packaging, the toy was tested for children from 18 months up.? The group says that the mask included in the book could pose a choking hazard.
• Inflatable Giga Ball – This toy is a blow up ball that is so huge that a child can crawl into the ball.? The toy is not recommended for children under 4.? The group feels that the ball poses a huge safety threat even though parental supervision is suggested.? This toy looks like fun, but I don’t know if I’d let my kid play inside a big plastic ball in our unfenced yard.
• Spiderman Adjustable Skates – This one made me laugh because it’s a set up Spiderman skates with “safety gear”.? However, there is only 1 knee pad and 1 elbow pad.? The packaging does say that you should make sure to wear knee pads, elbow pads and a helmet when skating.? If you decide to purchase this toy for your child, you will need to purchase safety gear separately.

What do you think?? Were you planning on purchasing some of these toys for your children?? Does the fact that these toys made the “worst toys” list cause you to reconsider? Stay up-to-date with current baby related recalls and unsafe toys right here at the Babies Online blog

Children’s Board Book Sets Recalled By Dalmatian Press Due to Choking Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Little Builder Children?s Board Book Sets with Toys

Units: About 17,000

Importer: Dalmatian Press LLC, of Franklin, Tenn.

Hazard: The cylinder on the toy concrete mixer and the tailgate on the toy dump truck can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves Little Builder Children?s Board Book sets with ISBN 1-49373-215-9. The sets include four concept board books (colors, tools, 123, shapes) and two toy trucks (dump truck and concrete mixer truck).

Sold at: Wal-Mart, Levy Home Entertainment, Lion Sales of NW Brunswick, Farris Wholesale Outlet, Crane Book Sales, Ingram Book Co., BPDI Corp., Books A Million and Christmas Tree Shop stores nationwide and on the Internet at Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com from August 2007 through February 2008 for about $9.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys from young children and return the entire book set to the retailer where purchased for a refund or exchange.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Dalmatian Press toll-free at (866) 418-2572 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm?s Web site at www.Dalmatianpress.com

Note: CPSC was notified about these books by the State of Connecticut.

Not exactly responsible, and I’m not impressed. Ty, an Illinois-based company, refuses to pull a line of Jammin’ Jenna dolls that don’t comply with the state standards. Their excuse is that the toys are within federal limits, which supersedes the state standards. Illinois laws states that there can’t be toys sold to children with more than 600 parts per million of lead. The state is threatening of suing the toy company to force them to pull the toys from store shelves (and I hope they win; or the company show some common sense and pull it beforehand).

So buyer-beware. And watch out for the Ty toy company. It seems they care more about profits than the safety of their customers: our kids. Be proactive and check out the US Consumer Product Safety Commission toy recall list.

For those parents frustrated by the constant recall on children?s toys, there is finally some good news.The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said it will add staff at the nation?s busiest ports and work more closely with U.S. Customs to stop suspect imports and potentially dangerous toys off the market. There are also plans to increase port inspection of toys, fireworks, electronics and other potentially high-risk toys.

While the acting commission chief Nancy Nord defends the agency?s safety record, she said she’s ready to ?embrace major change?. She added this year’s massive toy recalls has more to do with “more effective enforcement rather than a deluge of unsafe toys?. Congress has increased the CPSC budget by $20 million to cover the expense of added inspectors at ports.