18 Toys That Had to Be Pulled from Shelves for Safety Reasons
This article highlights toys that were removed from stores due to safety concerns for children.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Many toys that seemed safe turned out to be dangerous. Some had small parts that caused choking, others had sharp edges or toxic materials. These 18 toys were all recalled to protect children from harm. This list helps parents stay aware of safety issues when choosing toys.
1. Magnet Sets
RDNE Stock project on Pexels
The tiny magnets in these sets were very strong. If children swallowed more than one, the magnets could stick together inside their bodies and cause serious internal injuries. Many kids ended up in the hospital, so the toys had to be pulled from stores.
2. Balloon Toys
Tom Huynh on Pexels
Balloons can be fun, but broken pieces or uninflated balloons easily get stuck in a child’s throat. Some kids accidentally inhaled them while trying to blow them up or playing. After several choking incidents, these balloon toys were taken off the market.
3. Small-Part Figurines
Mizuno K on Pexels
Many small plastic figures came with tiny accessories. Some of these parts easily broke off while kids were playing. The loose pieces became a choking danger for younger children, so they were recalled.
4. Scooter Wheels
Egor Komarov on Pexels
Some scooters had poorly attached wheels that could suddenly come off while riding. This caused kids to fall and get hurt. After several accidents, the scooters were removed from stores to prevent more injuries.
5. Highchair Straps
GNU Free Documentation License on Wikimedia Commons
Highchair straps are supposed to keep babies safe and secure while eating. On some models, the straps loosened or broke while the child was sitting. This led to dangerous falls, and the highchairs were quickly recalled.
6. Toddler Bed Rails
Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels
The rails on some toddler beds had wide gaps. Babies could get stuck between the rails, risking strangulation or injury. Because of these serious dangers, the beds were pulled from the shelves.
7. Teething Necklaces
Galina Yarovaya. on Pexels
Parents used these necklaces to help babies soothe sore gums, but the beads sometimes broke loose and became choking hazards. The risk was too high, so they were recalled for safety.
8. Electronic Plush Toys
Vickie Intili on Pexels
These soft toys had electrical parts inside that were not safely built. Some overheated during use, which could cause burns or fires. After several reports, the toys were taken off the shelves.
9. Ride-On Toy Wheels
Boris Hamer on Pexels
Ride-on toys were once popular for young kids, but some had wheels that cracked or detached while in motion. This led to crashes and falls that injured children. The toys were recalled to prevent more accidents.
10. Swim Goggles
Edneil Jocusol on Pexels
Some swim goggles had weak straps and poor seals. They would break or let water leak in, hurting children’s eyes. After complaints and injuries, these goggles were removed from stores.
11. Nightlight Projectors
Artem Podrez on Pexels
These lights were designed to comfort kids at night. But some models overheated, creating a fire hazard, especially when used in cribs. The risk led to quick recalls to keep children safe.
12. Magnetic Building Sets
Grodalo on Wikimedia Commons
Magnetic building toys let kids create shapes and structures. However, younger kids often swallowed the small magnetic pieces. The magnets could damage internal organs, so the sets were pulled for safety.
13. Infant Loungers
Tuan PM on Pexels
These loungers were soft cushions meant for babies to rest on. However, without firm support or proper design, babies risked rolling over and suffocating. After several accidents, these loungers were recalled.
14. Doll Clothing Buttons
Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels
Many dolls came with outfits decorated with small buttons. The buttons sometimes came loose during play. Kids could easily put them in their mouths and choke, so the dolls were taken off store shelves.
15. Toy Cars with Sharp Edges
Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels
Some toy cars had rough metal edges due to poor manufacturing. These sharp parts could cut children’s fingers while playing. Once injuries were reported, the toy cars were recalled.
16. Wooden Blocks with Lead Paint
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Lead paint was once used on some wooden blocks. If kids chewed or licked the blocks, they could be exposed to toxic lead. This serious health risk led to a full recall.
17. Battery Operated Pets
PNW Production on Pexels
Some battery-powered toy pets had weak battery covers that came off easily. Small children could swallow the batteries, causing serious internal burns. Because of this danger, the toys were pulled from stores.
18. Kitchen Play Sets
Polesie Toys on Pexels
Toy kitchen sets had small plastic pieces that sometimes broke off during play. The broken parts could pose a choking hazard. To avoid accidents, these sets were recalled.