Ten Terrible Toys Trivia Quiz

Answer: Asbestos

The fingerprint dust had an unacceptable concentration of asbestos. The CSI kit was released in 2007. When the danger was pointed out, CBS Consumer Products refused to remove the product from the shelves until after the Christmas season in 2007 and then only under pressure from asbestos safety groups.

Answer: The sticks were fragile and contained tiny magnets..

Many things can pass through the digestive system but small magnets were especially dangerous as the magnets attracted each other and formed potentially fatal bowel obstructions. At least one death and at least 20-30 instances of emergency situations had been attributed to the toys. Mega Bloks, the manufacturer of Magnetix, initially refused to remove it from distribution.

When it finally did so, it re-issued the toy with a different name "MagNext".

Answer: Flimsy leg straps could tear or dislodge

Aqua-Leisure was eventually fined $650,000 for failure to address the issue. An investigation found that the company had known about the problem for six years and had covered it up. No drownings were attributed to the toy but at least thirty instances of near-drowning were reported.

Answer: The lead was in the vinyl, not the game

Because the lead was found in vinyl frame of the game and not in the game itself or the paint, the Consumer Protection Agency had no jurisdiction. Arsenic and lead are two most common elements in found in dangerous toys.

Answer: Hyperactivity

Spin Master and the affiliated Australian based Moose Enterprises immediately responded and withdrew over four million units from distribution. They both blamed a Chinese sub-contractor. GHB has a legitimate medical use. It can be used to treat narcolepsy, excessive sleep, and in rare cases alcoholism. However, when produced illegally, it becomes a dangerous recreational drug, banned in most nations.

Although no deaths were reported, many instances of children either having vomiting attacks or lapsing into comas after having ingested the beads have been documented.

The product, now called 'Pikos', has been re-branded and placed back on shelves.

Answer: Cabbage Patch Snacktime

Cabbage Patch Snacktime were designed to "eat" plastic snacks. The pieces were placed in the lips and conveyed to a backpack. However, behind the lips of the doll was a pair of metal rollers with no on-and-off switch so lips, hair, and fingers were vulnerable and children were hurt. It was recalled by the maker but not until after the Christmas season.

Answer: Some materials were radioactive

In some quarters this is considered the most dangerous toy ever issued. It contained: Geiger-Müller counter, an Electroscope, Wilson cloud chamber, low level Alpha, Beta, and Gamma particles, four uranium-bearing ore samples, and a comic book on splitting atoms, among other things. Although no injuries occurred, it was felt that such materials in the hands of children was not appropriate. The kit sold for 50$ which is about 400$ in modern monies so only the more prosperous of parents could afford. On E-Bay a set in original package for goes for 750$.

Answer: It trapped infants in a net.

What sounded like a good idea turned sour when infants got tangled in the webbing thus making it one of the most dangerous toys of all time. Three million mini-hammocks were recalled but only after twelve children died. Many more were injured. Lacking a 'spread bar' that could have kept the hammock open resulted in a twisting mass that the infant was unable to escape.

Answer: lawn darts

This toy or game caused so many injuries and in some cases death that it was formally banned in 1988. It was pointed out as causing 6,100 people to enter emergency rooms. Over 80% were fifteen or younger. People were urged to dispose of old sets. In spite of the ban, sets can be purchased overseas though the Internet.

Answer: Unpredictable flight pattern

This toy seemed harmless. It had foam propellers too big for a child to swallow. However, when activated by a pull cord, it became a missile striking anything within a 3-foot radius. It required the child who pulls the cord to stand within a foot of it and perhaps bending his/her face directly in the path of whirring propellers.

The Consumer Protection agencies received over 150 injury reports of scratched corneas, temporary blindness, broken teeth, face lacerations, a broken rib, and concussion.