Two Children Hospitalized From Dangerous Toy

Scott Kappes

Contributor
(866) 735-1102 Ext 346

0 CommentsPrint ArticleSubscribe

Yesterday the Consumer Products Safety Commission announced the recall of 4.2 million Aqua Dot Chinese made toys. The toys allegedly contain a "date rape" drug that can pose a serious risk to children. The Craft toys contain 1,4, butanediol on their beads which if ingested can cause unconsciousness, respiratory depression and seizures. The Aqua Dot toys had made Wal-Mart's list of the top 12 toys for Christmas and were sold there and at other toy retailers throughout the U.S. since April for 17 to 30 dollars.

Australian officials banned a similar toy after 3 children were hospitalized from injury. The banned toy was extremely popular and was voted 2007 Toy of the Year prior to its banishment.

The CPSC has received two reports over the past several days of children swallowing Aqua Dots. A 20-month-old child swallowed several dozen beads. He became dizzy and vomited several times before slipping into a comatose state for a period of time, was hospitalized, and has since fully recovered. A second child also vomited and slipped into a comatose state and was hospitalized for five days.

This is another recall among a rash of toy recalls that have plagued this year. The majority of the recalls have been of Chinese made toys that contain excessive amounts of lead. Consumers seem to be concerned about the recent recalls and it is yet to be seen just how the response will be during the holiday season.

The CPCS urges parents to immediately discontinue use of these toys and contact the distributor Spin Master. A hotline at (800) 622-8339 has been established to respond to concerns.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Defective and Dangerous Products.