Water Balloon Slingshots Top List Of Unsafe Summer Toys

BOSTON (CBS/AP) — A Boston-based consumer watchdog group is warning of the dangers to children of water balloon slingshots, lawn darts and other summer toys.

Those playthings top a list of 10 questionable toys issued Thursday by World Against Toys Causing Harm, better known by its acronym, W.A.T.C.H.

Others include low-riding wheeled toys; swimming pools; all-terrain vehicles; toys with small parts; baby pools and garden buckets; backyard water slides; high-powered water guns; and bounce houses and backyard trampolines.

The group says more than 2.5 million American children are injured each summer. It says many of those accidents are preventable.

Last summer, the organization singled out fidget spinners — those popular plastic and metal toys that users spin around a finger — saying they pose a choking hazard.

In a statement, the Toy Association said, "W.A.T.C.H. warns parents of some common – and not-so-common – summer hazards but leaves out this important information: All toys on store shelves are subject to more than 100 safety tests and standards required by federal law. The Toy Association consistently educates parents and caregivers throughout the year about toy and play safety."

The Toy Association urged parents to remain vigilant and ensure products that are not "toys" by definition are never accessed or used by children on their own, including trampolines, bounce houses, and ATVs, among others.

The association also urged parents to always supervise children at play, to follow the age recommendation on all toys and to shop at reputable retailers where toys and games sold comply with strict federal safety laws.

W.A.T.C.H. in November compiled a list of dangerous holiday toys for children.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)