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

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/

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/

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

Ace Bayou Bean Bag Chairs

What Is It?

It's a harmless looking bean bag chair for the little ones.

What Happened?

They were not created with a permanent zipper so Kids could easily open the chair.  A 13 year old Boy and a 3 year old Girl suffocated from injesting the small foam balls inside.  Both children were found dead inside the chair.

Aftermath?

Recall city, they were pulled from shelves and a warning was issued.  They have since been altered to become a more secure product. 

Links:

http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2014/41291r-eng.php

Strait-Jacket For Kids

What Is It?

Apparently these toys started appearing in toy stores in Brazil.  This is of course a strait-jacket you would put on your Child if they were acting up.  Note: it does not come with a Hannibal Lecter mask.

What Happened?

Outrage when people started seeing the pictures of this item online...could be considered Child abuse.

Aftermath?

It turned out to be an item created only to promote the show Super Nanny which airs in Brazil

Links:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2388136/Little-darlings-proving-handle-Brazilian-toy-company-claims-answer---really-child-RESTRAINTS.html

Penguin Toy

What Is It?

Why it's a rather harmless looking little wooden penguin that spins

What Happened?

The heads were apparently coming off exposing sharp nails to the little Kiddies, there were many complaints but no reported injuries.

Aftermath?

The CPSC recalled these in 2008 and they are illegal to sell

Links:

http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2008/Plan-Toys-Inc-Recalls-Toy-Penguins-Due-to-Laceration-Hazard/

Pee & Poo Dolls

What Is It?

Why plush toys representing two things that Kids should never play with.  Poo (which is yes a brown curly lump), and Pee (a big yellow drop).

What Happened?

Well it's sort of encouraging Children to do disgusting things with what they excrete from their bodies.  Plus can you imaging the look on their Grandmother's face when little Timmy curls up with "Poo" before bed?

Aftermath?

These are still being sold as far as I can tell

Links:

http://www.peeandpoo.com/

Clackers / Knockers

What Is It?

Two glass or acrylic balls on a string which Kids bang together

What Happened?

Think about banging two breakable thinks together...also the fact that they are very hard and are flying around at random.  Kids were injured by exploding clackers that shatter and by being wacked in the face with them.

Aftermath?

They introduced plastic and non-shattering clackers

Links:

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

Roadkill Cat

What Is It?

Some Japanese company decided it would be a great idea to release roadkill animals for children to play with

What Happened?

There is very little info out there about these, but I'm assuming there was outrage...I mean children playing with roadkill?  At least these probably smell better than the real thing.

Aftermath?

I have no clue what happened or why

Links:

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/pictures/view/80767314/

Gobbles The Garbage Eating Goat

What Is It?

A toy goat created in 1978 that you feed garbage too...he then poops the garbage out

What Happened?

Controversial because...why are Kids feeding goats garbage?  You could also send away for more garbage!

Aftermath?

Nothing, it was more the absurdity of the toy that caused people to talk...I know I want one!

Links:

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/gobbles-garbage-eating-goat-toy-170510249

Giant Plush Microbes

What Is It?

Adorable little stuffed...diseases?

What Happened?

These little plush creatures are not exactly typical...I'll give some examples of the "Creatures":  Flesh Eating Disease, Herpes, Leprosy, Herpes and so forth.

Aftermath?

These are still being sold...as gag gifts...but let's face it, Kids would probably have no idea what their new toy actually is.

Links:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/6708/#tabs

3M's Sticky Bear

What Is It?

3M created a coat hanger in the shape of a bear for the Children of Asia

What Happened?

Errr...look what stuff hangs on.  Even more disturbing is the fact the packaging reads "hug me" and it's called "Sticky Bear"

Aftermath?

I think these are still being made, hard to tell...I don't believe there were any consequences.

Links:

http://texyt.com/3Ms+Sticky+Bear+is+VERY+Pleased+to+See+You

Burger King Pokeballs

What Is It?

Burger King released a series of 57 Pokeman toys that came in little plastic containers called Pokeballs.

What Happened?

The Pokeballs were found to fit perfectly around the nose and mouth of Children causing suffocation.  In December 1999 a 13 month old Girl was found dead with half of the ball around her mouth and nose.  After this the CPSC issued a warning that these were not for small children, and they requested that Burger King pull these balls from their restaurants.  Burger King refused demanding the results of the autopsy first to make sure that the ball was responsible for the death.  During this wait, an 18 month old nearly suffered death from the same thing.  Burger King agreed to recall the items, and the CPSC asked them to wait a few days so they could get their promotional material available to warn people of the danger.  This caused an uproar with Folks jumping all over Burger King for not acting fast enough.

Aftermath?

Burger King offered a free order of fries to those who returned poke balls to the restaurant.  Despite a million dollar campaign a 4 month old suffocated in his crib in 2000.  This was one of the biggest recalls in history for toys.

Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burger_King_Pok%C3%A9mon_container_recall

E.T. Finger Light

What Is It?

Oh it's just your standard run-o-the-mill flashlight in the shape of E.T.'s finger as a movie tie-in.

What Happened?

Uh...I've seen the movie E.T. and I never remember his finger looking this phallic. This had to be on purpose I mean c'mon!  But it was strictly marketed to Kids and did not vibrate so....

Aftermath?

After a while the company making these switched to a full hand version so it didn't look so dubious.

Links:

http://geektyrant.com/news/2012/7/4/worst-toy-ever-et-finger-light.html

Tesco Peek-A-Boo Stripper Pole

What Is This?

Oh why it's simple...it's a pole to wrap yourself around on suggestively...no wait.  It's a stripper pole to Kids to practice for later careers that was listed at Tesco's in yes...the TOY department.

What Happened?

I wish I knew what they were thinking but the flack Tesco's got over this one was huge.  The box says:  "Unleash the sex kitten inside...simply extend the Peekaboo pole inside the tube, slip on the sexy tunes and away you go! Soon you'll be flaunting it to the world and earning a fortune in Peekaboo Dance Dollars."  But y'know at least it comes with an instructional DVD so you don't have to ask your Mom for help.

Aftermath?

Tescos moved this particular product over to the exercise area (so Kids now have to travel further in the store to find them)

Link:

http://www.parentdish.com/2006/10/25/british-retailer-tesco-accused-of-selling-stripper-pole-toy/

Harry Potter Broom

What Is It?

It is a Nimbus 2000 broom to accompany the Harry Potter series and it has a handle that Children are to sit on.  Oh the fun doesn't end there...because this broom vibraaaatttteeessss.

What Happened?

Well...it's that age old question should you give a vibrator to a child.  Kids everywhere were devistated when Mom and Sis were running off with this broom and locking themselves into the bedroom. 

Aftermath?

They quit making the toy eventually, nothing much happened except some unintended pleasure.

Links:

http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1927306_1927313_1927329,00.html