Last Christmas, I gave you this toy… but now it’s been recalled

Toy recalls happen much more often than anyone thinks they do. While our annual Carlson Law Firm toy guide normally focuses on toys for the upcoming holiday season, this year we wanted to make sure parents are aware of toys and other items they may have purchased last Christmas that are now on the 2021 toy recall list. 

Manufacturers are supposed to alert consumers when a toy has been recalled. However, one of the challenges of recalls is consumers are hard to reach. 

Ride-on toys recall

Ride-on toys are largely considered the most dangerous toys among kids. One study found that every hour, approximately 18 children are sent to the emergency room for toy-related injuries. The biggest culprit is ride-on toys such as scooters, wagons, tricycles, and motor-powered kiddie vehicles.

ATV Recalls

All kids reach an age where they’re too big for a ride-on toy, but still want to drive around. Often, parents turn to ATVs as the big gift that is no longer from Santa that meets this need. However, on Sep. 29, both Luyuan and Venom motorsports issued recalls for violation of Federal Safety Standard. If your children received one of the following ATVs, it’s important that you contact the manufacturer to find out the fix for the recall. 

Luyuan All-Terrain Vehicles Crash Hazards

The Luyuan youth All-Terrain vehicle failed to comply with Federal ATV safety standards. The product exceeds maximum speed limitations and other mandatory safety requirements for vehicles intended for children under 10 years old. The company’s ATVs pose significant health risks such as injury and death for children. Models affected by the recall include the following: 

• GBMOTO Monster-G Youth ATV (LY-ATV-40I)
• Youth ATV (LY-ATV-40A)
• Youth ATV (LY-ATV-40D)
• GBMOTO Youth ATV (LY-ATV-40E)

The recall affects about 6,800 units. Free repairs are being offered as the recall remedy.

Venom Motorsports Crash Hazards

Similar to Luyuan ATVs, several different models of Venom’s youth ATVs were recalled for crash hazards and a violation of Federal Safety standards. These vehicles pose a risk of serious injury or death because of a violation of speed restrictions.

• E-Madix 1300w 48V E-A050 Electric ATV
• E-Grizzly 1500w 48V E-A07 Electric ATV
• Mini Madix 110cc HX110D ATV
• Grizzly 125cc HX125B ATV
• Racing Madix 125cc MADIX125 ATV

The recall affects about 500 units that were sold exclusively on VenomMotorsportsUSA.com. Buyers are being refunded money spent on the ATV as the recall remedy.  

Phoenix 200 ATV by Polaris

The Phoenix 200 ATV were recalled due to a crash hazard on Sep. 23. According to the recall, the throttle speed control stop can break and become stuck which can pose a crash hazard. Affected models include the following: 

• 2011 Phoenix 200 ATV
• 2012-2014 Phoenix 200 ATV
• 2015-2016 Phoenix 200 ATV
• 2017-2021 Phoenix 200 ATV

The recall affects about 13,000 — some of these were previously recalled in July 2020 and April 2018 for other issues. The company is offering free repairs. 

Hoverboard recalls

Further, the number of ride-on injuries has continued to grow with the introduction Hoverboards. Hoverboards continue to be a must-have item for kids around the globe. Between overheating batteries and falls, these toys are responsible for thousands of injuries in just the few years they’ve been available for purchase. More than half of these injuries occurred amongst boys, with 12-year-old boys accounting for the highest number of injuries. Luckily, there are many safe alternatives to the standard ride-on toy wish lists.

Hovertrax 2.0 Self-Balancing Hoverboards

Razor USA recalled about 237,000 of its Hoverboards because of its lithium-ion GLW battery packs smoking, catching fire, or exploding. 

• Hovertrax hoverboard containing recalled GLW battery packs

Toy Puzzles

Recalls know no limits when it comes to toys and ages. Each year, parents buy puzzles for their littlest loves to help them learn shapes and encourage dexterity. However, these products can come defective as well.

Wee Gallery Wooden Tray Puzzle

The Wee Gallery Ocen and Safari Wooden Puzzle tray were recalled in August because of a choking hazard. The octopus and elephant puzzle pieces can break which leads to a choking hazard.

The recall affects about 7,600 units and the company is offering a full refund as a remedy. 

Clothing and shoes

Toys are not the only products given for Christmas that have wound up on the 2021 toy recall list. Children’s clothing and shoes can be a choking hazard as well as have fire hazard risks. 

Tkala Fashion Children’s Pajamas

• Tkala fashion recalled nearly 6,000 units because several prints of their children’s pajamas failed to meet the federal flammability standards for children’s sleepwear. Affects products are below. 
• Tkala Fashion children’s pajamas – short sleeves, multi-color dinosaur print
• Tkala Fashion children’s pajamas – short sleeves, orange and white dinosaur
• Tkala Fashion children’s pajamas – short sleeves, grey shark print
• Tkala Fashion children’s pajamas – short sleeves, green dinosaur print
• Tkala Fashion children’s pajamas – short sleeves, black and white dinosaur
• Tkala Fashion children’s pajamas – black rocket ship print

Birkenstock Kids’ Mogami Sandals

On July 28, Birkenstock recalled about 15,200 units of its kids’ Mogami sandals because of a choking hazard. A plastic rivet can detach from the sandal’s ankle strap. This can lead to a potential hazard for young children. The sandals come in several colors including: 

• Black 
• Blue and black
• Lime green and black
• Pink and white

2021 Toy Recall: What makes toys dangerous?

While this list contains alternatives to some of the most popular toys this holiday season, we recognize that all children are individuals. For this reason, it is difficult to make a blanket determination about what toys are safe for your children. Parents should always use their best judgment and remember that unsafe toys may be determined by the following:

• Design flaws
• Toy defects
• Improper labeling
• Detachable choking hazards
• High-speed projectiles
• Toxins
• Age-related risks
• Child’s maturity
• Battery acid leaks
• Privacy concerns

Used or older toys

It’s not unheard of for parents to purchase like new toys instead of shelling out full price for an item your child will likely play with for a few months to a year. (We’re speaking from experience, here.) However, even though we totally support saving a few extra dollars, you should always ensure that your child’s Christmas gifts this year are not on the 2021 toy recall list due to potential hazards.

Choking Hazards

Toddlers have many risks of choking on small parts because they are more inclined to put toys in their mouths. On the hand, older children face greater risks from defective toys like scooters or tricycles. In 2017, 13 children died as the result of injuries sustained from toys.

The Carlson Law Firm Can Help

The holiday season is the perfect time to evaluate the safety of your child’s toys. Because more than a quarter of a million children visit the ER each year, it is important that parents know the recall status of their children’s toys and how to best use them safely. However, the unseen and unpredictable risks are the risks that pose the most danger to your children. Defective toys and other children’s products can put children at risk for living with long-term injuries.

If your child suffered injuries from a dangerous toy, contact a child injury lawyer from The Carlson Law Firm. Our legal experts can help you determine the next step in your child’s recovery process.

Contact our firm today.

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