Splash Off Water Rocket

What Is This?

They were water rockets that attached to a common hose.  The Child would stomp on the launcher (which builds pressure) and that would send the rocket flying.

What Happened?

There were at least 37 cases of the rocket flying off unpredictably causing lacerations to Children.

Aftermath?

The CPSC banned these and there was a recall issued.

Links:

http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/1997/CPSC-Ohio-Art-Company-Announce-Recall-of-Splash-Off-Water-Rockets/
http://talgroupinc.wordpress.com/2014/08/27/via-gizmodo-10-incredibly-dangerous-banned-toys-4/

Barbie McDonalds Drive-Thru Play Set

What Is It?

It's a Barbie accessory which of course is a tie-in with McDonalds.  Not so sure Barbie can stay that thin while eating that much grease.

What Happened?

No it wasn't Barbie getting fat...it was outrage from Parents because this set was teaching their Children how to work for minimum wage.

Aftermath?

It was a limited playset from what I can gather...other than a few angry letters I don't think anything happened.

Links:

http://randomthoughts.club/youtube.php?video=SFM2P6R6Ro4

Shokor Shocking Robot

What Is It?

It was created by artist Randy Regier as part of his series of dangerous toys that look retro.  They were for sale, however they were not distributed as they were an art project.  This one in particular is a robot named Shokor...that yes...shocks you.

What Happened?

Well nothing much as it is an art exhibit...but the robot does give off a shock.

Aftermath?

Nothing at all.

Links:

http://gregcookland.com/journal/2011/05/11/randy-regier%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%9Cdime-star%E2%80%9D/

Grow Up To Be Gay Magnet Set

What Is It?

It's a set of magnets shaped like scissors, hairdryer, curlers etc...only they are for little Boys.

What Happened?

Though there is nothing wrong with being gay...the title "Grow Up To Be Gay" is insulting...as is the stereotyping here with the hair products in the "hairdresser" kit.

Aftermath?

Nada...they are still sold today

Links:

http://www.blameitonthevoices.com/2012/11/things-that-exist-grow-up-to-be-gay.html

Muffin Muncher Serendipity Book

What Is It?

It's a book for children from 1974...about a dinosaur that munches muffins.

What Happened?

It's really the title that had people shocked.

Aftermath?

The title was changed to "The Muffin Dragon"

Links:

http://alienatedinvancouver.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-serendipity-serendipity-plus-thoughts.html

Playmobil Executioner

What Is It?

It's a figurine for the Kiddies to play with that just happens to be an Executioner...with a creepy mask & an axe.

What Happened?

Nothing more than controversy, but this was a limited item from what I can gather.

Aftermath?

Nada...but I think these may go for a pretty penny.

Links:

http://www.toplessrobot.com/2009/07/the_17_least_appropriate_playmobil_sets_for_childr.php?page=2

Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine

What Is It?

It is a Snoopy themed sno-cone machine...meaning it turns ice into thinly shaved stuff then you add powder to it to color & flavor the ice.

What Happened?

A small brass rivet was prone to detaching from the shaving mechanism...which would land in the sno-cone...which would lead to the child injesting the rivet.

Aftermath?

They recalled this particular model and replaced it with one that was safe to use.

Links:

http://www.toysrusinc.com/safety/recalls/snoopy-sno-cone-machine/

Aqua Assault Robofighters

What Is It?

It's some sort of toy vehicle that shoots water and plastic missiles plus it has retractable wheels.

What Happened?

A 7 year old shot a missile directly into his nose, it caused a brain hemorrhage that killed him.  A 5 year old smashed this toy with a claw hammer apparently ate the shards of plastic which yes...died from it.  An 11 year old held this toy over their head and jumped off a building (thinking it would help him fly?) and died.

Aftermath?

Well although the Kids in all three cases seem particularly ridiculous, the CPSC banned this toy entirely.

Links:

http://www.theonion.com/articles/fun-toy-banned-because-of-three-stupid-dead-kids,290/

Stevens' Model Dockyard Locomotive

What Is It?

It's a toy from 1843, it's a locomotive train...and it actually moved!

What Happened?

Well the reason it moved is because it's powered by an actual steam propelled engine.  This meant that Kids had to pour kerosene into the train, and light it!

Aftermath?

Not sure...the internet wasn't around in 1843 haha.

Links:

http://www.cracked.com/article_19481_the-8-most-wildly-irresponsible-vintage-toys.html

Toys 'R Us Journey Girl Travel Trunk

What Is It?

It's a trunk for clothing for children with little storage compartments to carry dolls and such

What Happened?

The blue handles were apparently sharp and causing lacerations.  Talk about incentive to not play with your dolls!

Aftermath?

In 2013 these were recalled, and the handles replaced. 

Links:

http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Toys-R-Us-Recalls-Journey-Girl-Travel-Trunks/

Reebok Children's Bracelets

What Is It?

It's a free bracelet that came in boxes of Children's shoes. 

What Happened?

The bracelets had a very high level of lead making them toxic.  A 4 year old died when they swallowed a piece from this bracelet.

Aftermath?

They were recalled and warnings were issued.

Links:

http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2006/Reebok-Recalls-Bracelet-Linked-to-Childs-Lead-Poisoning-Death/

Teen Talk Barbie

What Is It?

It's a Barbie doll that says many things.

What Happened?

This was a controversial doll because of one of the things she says which is "Math class is tough!" which in many Parent's opinions encourages Girls to suck at math.  Barbie also says a bunch of other fluffy things like "Will we ever have enough clothes?" and so forth.  It was called out for enforcing negative stereotypes about Women.

Aftermath?

The offensive phrase was removed from the doll's vocab

Links:

http://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/21/business/company-news-mattel-says-it-erred-teen-talk-barbie-turns-silent-on-math.html

Colossal Water Balls

What Is It?

They are little balls that you add water & enclosed growth powder and they will expand up to the size of a tennis ball!

What Happened?

Unfortunately they look like candy, so Kids were eating them...then they were expanding in their tummies causing all kinds of problems.  Especially since they could not be picked up in X-Rays...so Doctors would have to go into stomachs to check to see where this thing expanded.

Aftermath?

They were recalled in 2013.

Links:

http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Be-Amazing-Toys-Recalls-Monster-Science-and-Super-Star-Science-Colossal-Water-Balls/

Milky The Marvellous Milking Cow

What Is It?

It's a toy cow created in 1977...y'know, to practice milking for Children.  You pump it's tail then it drinks from the bucket.  Then when you pinch it's nipples (I'm serious) a milky like goo substance will go into the bucket. 

What Happened?

Not much, just a strange toy from the '70s that didn't make a heck of a lot of sense.

Aftermath?

Unfortunately these were limited and Milky no longer exists

Links:

http://www.retroland.com/milky-the-marvelous-milking-cow/

Lisy Puzzle Time 9/11 Airplane Toy & Candy

What Is It?

Lisy packaged a bunch of different toys that contained candy.  This controversial item that they made depicted 9/11.

What Happened?

14,000 of these little candy toys were made, Lisy claimed they came in a variety pack from Miami and were not seen before releasing them.  Even the product code was 09011.

Aftermath?

As soon as this was caught, they were immediately recalled.

Links:

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-08-27-tpy-911_x.htm

Shrinky Dinks

What Is It?

It's a craft kit wherein you color special sheets, then bake in the oven and they become plastic shrunk designs.

What Happened?

When they were baking they would emit highly toxic fumes making Kids everywhere sick (that dared to watch their creations shrink).

Aftermath?

These are still made, I'm not even sure a warning was issued

Links:

http://www.businesspundit.com/10-toxic-toys-that-kids-actually-played-with/

Snap Bracelets

What Is It?

They were popular in the late '80s and early '90s.  They were bracelets that start out in strip form...then when slapped against the wrist they would form into a bracelet.

What Happened?

They have a base of stainless steel (covered in fabric) so often the cheaper models would break...leaving exposed steal to slice up wrists. 

Aftermath?

They tend to try to make them safer I believe, there were warnings issued about these but I don't believe there was a recall.

Links:

http://www.nytimes.com/1990/10/30/us/us-consumer-panel-warns-of-injury-by-slap-bracelets.html

Doggy Doo Game

What Is It?

A board game for Children wherein you feed the dog, then collect it's poop.

What Happened?

The idea that Children would be collecting toy poop in a game was not exactly looked upon kindly by some Parents.

Aftermath?

None, this is still sold in stores (mainly in the UK)

Links:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3906297.htm

Air Pirates Comic Book

What Is It?
It's a serious of underground comic books (though there are only 2) featuring Mickey Mouse. 

What Happened?

They did not have permission from Disney to use their characters in this comic.  Worse still the comic book contains the characters engaged in sex and doing drugs.

Aftermath?

A huge many year trial began when Disney sued the folks behind the comic book.  They ultimately won and this comic book was no longer allowed to exist (with Disney characters anyhow).

Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Pirates

Trampolines

What Is It?

You likely have known someone who has broken a limb on one of these.  It's a device to jump upon and perform tricks on. 

What Happened?

Old school models have no safety net...and holes and metal to fall through and hit your body on.  Or you can fall right off and really injure yourself.  It generally can cause head, ankle and neck injuries...there are too many cases to even get a proper number.

Aftermath?

They've tried to make them safer by adding the nets around and making them more fall proof.

Links:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/doctors-warn-of-trampoline-injury-risks-1.1250737