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/