9 kids products you need to be extra careful with
Think twice before you buy one of these
Fidget Spinners
Fidget Spinners
We always knew they were annoying but these pocket-sized spinners are bad news for young kids. They have small pieces that break off and become choking hazards (that x-ray is from a 7-year-old boy ). Everyone's favorite boredom distraction has become so much of an issue that the deemed them an "emerging hazard" and recommends that parents keep a close eye on children of all ages when they are using them.
Jelly Sandals
Jelly Sandals
These summertime wardrobe staples can do some major foot damage if parents aren't careful. Lisa Conner from Blackpool, England, took to Facebook to share photos of her . After she shared the images, other parents reached out to Conner claiming their kids suffered similar injuries. The company, Next brand sandals, issued a statement saying that they were doing a detailed inspection of the shoes, but at the time of this post, they were .
Homeopathic Teething Tablets
Homeopathic Teething Tablets
Teething is never fun for parents or baby but finding a remedy became downright dangerous when the after reports of infant seizures. They also found that the tablets have inconsistent levels of the toxic substance belladonna. Approximately six months after the warning, Hyland finally decided to pull their product from shelves and issue a voluntary recall in the United States. Always check with your pediatrician about supplements, vitamins or homeopathic remedies!
Expandable Water Toys
Expandable Water Toys
Just days before Easter in 2017, . The reason: The warned that if the small toy was ingested, it could expand inside a child's body and cause intestinal obstructions and lead to severe discomfort, vomiting, dehydration and life-threatening complications. While the affected Easter egg and dinosaur toys in this recall are no longer on the market, it's important for parents to keep an eye on similar water-expanding toys and warn their children to keep them away from their mouths.
Baby Rattles With Small Beads
Baby Rattles With Small Beads
It's no secret that small bead-like objects can pose as a choking hazard for young kids, but sometimes, the parts may be hiding in other seemingly safe toys. Case in point: Kids II Oball rattles. after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that the disc that holds the spherical toy together can break making the beads inside easily accessible for young children. After three instances of kids gagging on the beads, the company urged parents to take them away.
Pacifiers With Multiple Parts
Pacifiers With Multiple Parts
. Earl Wilson found his daughter choking on a nipple from a pacifier made by the popular brand that had broken off. Her terrifying story doesn't mean parents need to get rid of all baby soothers. Parents should be vigilant and check them regularly for cracks, tears, swells and changes in texture. Immediately throw one away if you notice anything wrong. Also, conduct a "pull test" — pull the soft "chewing" part of the pacifier in all directions and look for damage every time you give it to a baby. Some manufacturers also recommend replacing them every four weeks.
Trampolines
Trampolines
Trampoline parks are popular for big events, but how dangerous repetitive jumping can be for kids. After Kait Ellen's 3-year-old son fell and broke his femur, she learned from her pediatric orthopedic surgeon that no child under the age of 6 should ever be on one; their fragile bones can't withstand the repeated pressure from jumping. The numbers don't lie either: The amount of U.S. emergency room visits for trampoline park-related injuries jumped from 581 in 2010 to 6,932 in 2014, according to a study published in in 2017. Backyard trampolines result in more than 10 times as many injuries, sending an average of 91,750 people to the hospital per year. The suggests skipping bouncing all together, no matter your age.
Baby Neck Floats
Baby Neck Floats
You've probably seen adorable videos of on social media, but don't be fooled. These pint-sized swim aids can easily deflate, putting kids at risk of drowning. In fact, the advises against using any air-filled flotation device — including arm bands and "water wings" — because they immediately lose their buoyancy with any deflation. Instead, the suggests safely enjoying the water with your baby by staying in direct contact with them at all times.
Halloween Costumes
Halloween Costumes
according to the . Our experts tested popular costume brands in a flammability test and found that picks like Barbie Royal Party Princess costumes and various Disney Frozen Elsa versions spread flames at an alarmingly fast rate. There's no way to tell if a costume's fabric will be flammable just by looking at it, but you can shop smarter: Look for options made of 100 percent synthetic fibers like nylon or polyester, avoid glitter and skip capes, trains and dangling sleeves.
Fidget Spinners
Fidget Spinners
We always knew they were annoying but these pocket-sized spinners are bad news for young kids. They have small pieces that break off and become choking hazards (that x-ray is from a 7-year-old boy ). Everyone's favorite boredom distraction has become so much of an issue that the deemed them an "emerging hazard" and recommends that parents keep a close eye on children of all ages when they are using them.
Jelly Sandals
Jelly Sandals
These summertime wardrobe staples can do some major foot damage if parents aren't careful. Lisa Conner from Blackpool, England, took to Facebook to share photos of her . After she shared the images, other parents reached out to Conner claiming their kids suffered similar injuries. The company, Next brand sandals, issued a statement saying that they were doing a detailed inspection of the shoes, but at the time of this post, they were .
Homeopathic Teething Tablets
Homeopathic Teething Tablets
Teething is never fun for parents or baby but finding a remedy became downright dangerous when the after reports of infant seizures. They also found that the tablets have inconsistent levels of the toxic substance belladonna. Approximately six months after the warning, Hyland finally decided to pull their product from shelves and issue a voluntary recall in the United States. Always check with your pediatrician about supplements, vitamins or homeopathic remedies!
Expandable Water Toys
Expandable Water Toys
Just days before Easter in 2017, . The reason: The warned that if the small toy was ingested, it could expand inside a child's body and cause intestinal obstructions and lead to severe discomfort, vomiting, dehydration and life-threatening complications. While the affected Easter egg and dinosaur toys in this recall are no longer on the market, it's important for parents to keep an eye on similar water-expanding toys and warn their children to keep them away from their mouths.
Baby Rattles With Small Beads
Baby Rattles With Small Beads
It's no secret that small bead-like objects can pose as a choking hazard for young kids, but sometimes, the parts may be hiding in other seemingly safe toys. Case in point: Kids II Oball rattles. after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that the disc that holds the spherical toy together can break making the beads inside easily accessible for young children. After three instances of kids gagging on the beads, the company urged parents to take them away.
Pacifiers With Multiple Parts
Pacifiers With Multiple Parts
. Earl Wilson found his daughter choking on a nipple from a pacifier made by the popular brand that had broken off. Her terrifying story doesn't mean parents need to get rid of all baby soothers. Parents should be vigilant and check them regularly for cracks, tears, swells and changes in texture. Immediately throw one away if you notice anything wrong. Also, conduct a "pull test" — pull the soft "chewing" part of the pacifier in all directions and look for damage every time you give it to a baby. Some manufacturers also recommend replacing them every four weeks.
Trampolines
Trampolines
Trampoline parks are popular for big events, but how dangerous repetitive jumping can be for kids. After Kait Ellen's 3-year-old son fell and broke his femur, she learned from her pediatric orthopedic surgeon that no child under the age of 6 should ever be on one; their fragile bones can't withstand the repeated pressure from jumping. The numbers don't lie either: The amount of U.S. emergency room visits for trampoline park-related injuries jumped from 581 in 2010 to 6,932 in 2014, according to a study published in in 2017. Backyard trampolines result in more than 10 times as many injuries, sending an average of 91,750 people to the hospital per year. The suggests skipping bouncing all together, no matter your age.
Baby Neck Floats
Baby Neck Floats
You've probably seen adorable videos of on social media, but don't be fooled. These pint-sized swim aids can easily deflate, putting kids at risk of drowning. In fact, the advises against using any air-filled flotation device — including arm bands and "water wings" — because they immediately lose their buoyancy with any deflation. Instead, the suggests safely enjoying the water with your baby by staying in direct contact with them at all times.
Halloween Costumes
Halloween Costumes
according to the . Our experts tested popular costume brands in a flammability test and found that picks like Barbie Royal Party Princess costumes and various Disney Frozen Elsa versions spread flames at an alarmingly fast rate. There's no way to tell if a costume's fabric will be flammable just by looking at it, but you can shop smarter: Look for options made of 100 percent synthetic fibers like nylon or polyester, avoid glitter and skip capes, trains and dangling sleeves.
Fidget Spinners
Fidget Spinners
We always knew they were annoying but these pocket-sized spinners are bad news for young kids. They have small pieces that break off and become choking hazards (that x-ray is from a 7-year-old boy ). Everyone's favorite boredom distraction has become so much of an issue that the deemed them an "emerging hazard" and recommends that parents keep a close eye on children of all ages when they are using them.
Jelly Sandals
Jelly Sandals
These summertime wardrobe staples can do some major foot damage if parents aren't careful. Lisa Conner from Blackpool, England, took to Facebook to share photos of her . After she shared the images, other parents reached out to Conner claiming their kids suffered similar injuries. The company, Next brand sandals, issued a statement saying that they were doing a detailed inspection of the shoes, but at the time of this post, they were .
Homeopathic Teething Tablets
Homeopathic Teething Tablets
Teething is never fun for parents or baby but finding a remedy became downright dangerous when the after reports of infant seizures. They also found that the tablets have inconsistent levels of the toxic substance belladonna. Approximately six months after the warning, Hyland finally decided to pull their product from shelves and issue a voluntary recall in the United States. Always check with your pediatrician about supplements, vitamins or homeopathic remedies!
Expandable Water Toys
Expandable Water Toys
Just days before Easter in 2017, . The reason: The warned that if the small toy was ingested, it could expand inside a child's body and cause intestinal obstructions and lead to severe discomfort, vomiting, dehydration and life-threatening complications. While the affected Easter egg and dinosaur toys in this recall are no longer on the market, it's important for parents to keep an eye on similar water-expanding toys and warn their children to keep them away from their mouths.
Baby Rattles With Small Beads
Baby Rattles With Small Beads
It's no secret that small bead-like objects can pose as a choking hazard for young kids, but sometimes, the parts may be hiding in other seemingly safe toys. Case in point: Kids II Oball rattles. after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that the disc that holds the spherical toy together can break making the beads inside easily accessible for young children. After three instances of kids gagging on the beads, the company urged parents to take them away.
Pacifiers With Multiple Parts
Pacifiers With Multiple Parts
. Earl Wilson found his daughter choking on a nipple from a pacifier made by the popular brand that had broken off. Her terrifying story doesn't mean parents need to get rid of all baby soothers. Parents should be vigilant and check them regularly for cracks, tears, swells and changes in texture. Immediately throw one away if you notice anything wrong. Also, conduct a "pull test" — pull the soft "chewing" part of the pacifier in all directions and look for damage every time you give it to a baby. Some manufacturers also recommend replacing them every four weeks.
Trampolines
Trampolines
Trampoline parks are popular for big events, but how dangerous repetitive jumping can be for kids. After Kait Ellen's 3-year-old son fell and broke his femur, she learned from her pediatric orthopedic surgeon that no child under the age of 6 should ever be on one; their fragile bones can't withstand the repeated pressure from jumping. The numbers don't lie either: The amount of U.S. emergency room visits for trampoline park-related injuries jumped from 581 in 2010 to 6,932 in 2014, according to a study published in in 2017. Backyard trampolines result in more than 10 times as many injuries, sending an average of 91,750 people to the hospital per year. The suggests skipping bouncing all together, no matter your age.
Baby Neck Floats
Baby Neck Floats
You've probably seen adorable videos of on social media, but don't be fooled. These pint-sized swim aids can easily deflate, putting kids at risk of drowning. In fact, the advises against using any air-filled flotation device — including arm bands and "water wings" — because they immediately lose their buoyancy with any deflation. Instead, the suggests safely enjoying the water with your baby by staying in direct contact with them at all times.
Halloween Costumes
Halloween Costumes
according to the . Our experts tested popular costume brands in a flammability test and found that picks like Barbie Royal Party Princess costumes and various Disney Frozen Elsa versions spread flames at an alarmingly fast rate. There's no way to tell if a costume's fabric will be flammable just by looking at it, but you can shop smarter: Look for options made of 100 percent synthetic fibers like nylon or polyester, avoid glitter and skip capes, trains and dangling sleeves.
Think twice before you buy one of these
When it comes to young kids, we can all agree: Safety first! But with so many products on the market, good grief, how do you keep up with what is safe to play with? Thankfully, the Federal Trade Commission posts recalls constantly, independent groups are keeping tabs and every day some poor parents share their experience with a seemingly innocent product. Following the news is a good first step to keeping up but also remember these key things when it comes to your kids' toys:
Avoid second-hand items or unknown retailers or e-tailers. The items may be broken or not comply with the latest — or even U.S. — safety standards.
Keep items meant for older kids away from babies and toddlers. Store and use them in separate areas, if possible. Remember: Small pieces are too easy to swallow!
Be tough on quality. Toys should feel sturdy and durable. Also, check for sharp points, edges and corners and make sure there aren't long cords or strings (strangulation hazards). Stay away from toys with loose or small parts you're concerned about.
Get rid of product packaging ASAP. Don't try packing things back up in the same box unless it's meant for that. Again, small pieces are hazardous to curious toddlers.
Make sure the containers are safe, too. Locking mechanisms can easily catch little fingers.
And be extra careful with the following items!