MAIN Toy Reviews Worst Toys of 2007

The W.A.T.C.H. List - Top Ten Worst Toys of 2007

Here's some very handy information when you are out and about doing all your holiday shopping.

In addition to checking the continually-updated array of hazardous and recalled toys on the US Consumer Product Safety Commission list, you might also want to check out World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.).

W.A.T.C.H. is a Massachusetts charitable non-profit corporation founded by Edward M. Swartz, a trial lawyer and child safety consumer advocate.

Swartz has written two books, acclaimed as both informative and meaningful, that detail his fight for changes in an industry that makes billions of dollars a year in children's products.

Realizing the need for a national organization that would more fully educate the public to the dangers lurking in many toys and children's products, Swartz organized a grass roots national crusade for children's safety.

W.A.T.C.H. was founded as a non-profit organization dedicated to children's causes. The organization works to educate the public about life-threatening toys and other children's products. As a result of W.A.T.C.H. revealing potentially dangerous toys to the general public, children's lives have been saved.

Because of these efforts, and the positive response from both the media and the public, there have been many toy and product design changes. W.A.T.C.H. lists toy hazards to watch out for and regularly publish Toy Report Cards which lists a sample of the changes made because of their efforts.

Top Ten Worst Toys of 2007

The biggest of their lists is W.A.T.C.H.'s annual "10 Worst Toys" list, (now in its 35th year) which nominates toys with the potential to cause childhood injuries or even fatalities.

Worse yet, you can still find many of these toys still on store shelves:

This year's list includes:

• Go Diego Go Animal Rescue Boat By Fisher Price
• Sticky Stones By Geo Central
• Jack Sparrow's Spinning Dagger Zizzle
• Dora The Explorer Lamp By Fun House
• Lil "Giddy Up" Horse - Sassy Pet Saks By Douglas
• Spider Man 3 New Goblin Sword By Hasbro
• Hip Hoppa By Spin Master Ltd. And Vivid Imaginations Ltd.
• B'loonies Party Pack By Ja-Ru Inc.
• My Little Baby Born By Zapf Creations Ag
• Rubber Band Shooter By Simple Toys, Llc

also see -> Toy Safety & Recalls

About the Author: Mary Rose is a Mommy, a writer and an early childhood educator who believes in learning through play and the value of good toys.