U-238 Atomic Energy Lab
[ranking: 1]
A.C. Gilbert, the same man responsible for the Gilbert Glass Blowing Kit (and Erector sets too, but those are just awesome), was also responsible for releasing radiation as a toy for kids.
These atomic energy labs came with three different types of LIVE uranium ore! And a Geiger counter just in case you wanted to measure the amount of radiation you were receiving.
Empire Little Lady Stove
[ranking: 2]
Metal Ware released the Empire Miniature Electric Ranges targeted towards little girls to help them learn to cook and bake. Consider that most regular ovens have a limit of 550 degrees, but these kid-sized versions could reach temperatures of 600 degrees.
Gilbert Glass Blowing Set
[ranking: 3]
When you think glass blowing, do you think about extreme heat? Sharp objects? Molten glass? Children's toy? Well, in the '50s, apparently, these characteristics were synonymous with child's play. The A.C. Gilbert Company's Glass Blowing Kit was all of those things and more!
Go ahead, Timmy, heat that glass to a malleable state (1,000 degrees Fahrenheit).
Aqua Leisure Inflatable Baby Boats
[ranking: 4]
These boats seemed like a great way for a parent to relax in the pool with their new baby. However, the leg straps were prone to tearing, allowing a defenseless baby to slip right through.
The floats were recalled after 31 infants almost drowned. It turned out Aqua-Leisure had been aware of the problem for six years before the recall and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) fined the company $650,000 as a result.
Aqua Dots
[ranking: 5]
These dots, when sprinkled with water, would glue together into any shape your mind could come up with. Cute, colorful, fun, right? Except that they were toxic when ingested and the glue actually metabolized into gamma-hydroxybutyrate. GHB is the drug slipped into the drinks of unsuspecting individuals to knock them out.
Kids were ingesting this chemical from their toys and these things are still on the shelves.
Creepy Crawlers
[ranking: 6]
ToyMax's Creepy Crawlers had numerous hazards that completely negated its charm. Super hot trays of plastic to easily burn children? Check. Imminent fire hazard? Check. Plastic-y staining goop the consistency of syrup? Check.
Oh, and the fumes emitted while mixing all these charming ingredients were toxic.
Sky Rangers Park Flyer Radio-Controlled Airplane
[ranking: 7]
These things blew up! No, seriously they would blow up all the time. And, since they were launched by hand, they offered the added risk of blowing up in a kid's hand or right next to their head.
Lawn Darts
[ranking: 8]
These are interesting because they seem so obviously dangerous. What part of throwing a weighted spike in the air and seeing where it lands seems safe?
Moon Shoes
[ranking: 9]
Mini trampolines on your feet are dangerous...who knew? Many a broken ankle are caused by these dangerous kicks to this day.
The '70s versions of these shoes upped the ante further by making them out of many small pieces of sharp metal. Even the '90s improvements led to problems.
Zulu Blow Gun
[ranking: 10]
This list could have been solely comprised of small item choking hazards in children's toys. But this one takes the cake.
The entire purpose of the blow gun is to stick the tube in your mouth and blow. However, if you inhale first, then you risk inhaling the darts or projectile objects into your mouth. The entire concept of this toy seems like a bad idea.
CSI: Investigation Forensics Lab Kit
[ranking: 11]
Sometimes, the crime scene you have to investigate... is the crime scene investigation kit.
*Takes off sunglasses*
These kits were found to have asbestos. They contained as much as seven percent tremolite, in their finger printing kits, a problem because of the obvious cancer risk here.
Snacktime Cabbage Patch Kids
[ranking: 12]
These snack time version of these dolls had mechanical jaws, so as to eat whatever they were given. But those jaws didn't know the difference between food and say fingers or long hair... and they kept chewing regardless of what was in their mechanical mouths.
Easy-Bake Oven
[ranking: 13]
Any combination of children and ovens seems dangerous. However, one version of the Easy Bake Oven was especially violent. It was the pink and purple version, modeled after a kitchen stove. The way it was set up caused children's fingers to get caught, trapped, then burned on the heating coils.
Super Blast Balls
[ranking: 14]
Remember these little guys? They were little balls that when crashed together would spark and loudly POP. So, they were basically caps that you set off IN your hands instead of a cap gun. Given this, it's easy to see why they were eventually recalled.
Bird of Paradise Slingshot
[ranking: 15]
The Consumer Products Safety Commission was made for toys just like this one. There actually was a time when toys were only considered dangerous if they were comprised of dangerous substances.
These slingshots just launched "razor-sharp" projectiles across the room. What could go wrong?
Slip n Slide
[ranking: 16]
In 1993, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning about Slip 'N Slide use by teenagers and adults. The slides just weren't long enough to account for an adult's weight or size. The abrupt stop at the end, in some cases, could result in permanent spinal damage. At the time of the warning, one teenager and seven adults had become paralyzed or received neck injuries after playing on the slides.
Bat Masterson Derringer Belt Gun
[ranking: 17]
This was a little cap gun hidden in your belt buckle. Let's think about that for a minute: not only is it a cap gun but it was one pressed up against your body and pointed at a very sensitive area. There is also the issue of caps exploding from these types of toy guns and burning children.
Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper
[ranking: 18]
Back in 1978, a boy shot himself in the throat with the detachable missile on this toy and tragically passed away. Warning labels on toys now include age appropriateness to hopefully prevent an accident like this occurring again.
Polly Pocket
[ranking: 19]
The 2006 editions of the dolls had magnetized clothes and accessories, allowing little girls to change their outfits and make them up all differently. Seems safe enough. Except that the magnets were small enough to eat, or to wear as their own fake magnetized earring or nose ring, which led to incidents of accidental ingestion.
The significant issue with this is that when two or more magnets get into your system, they try to meet, just like they would anywhere else. To do so, they will tear through whatever tissue or organ gets in their way.
Sky Dancers
[ranking: 20]
Sky Dancers are great in concept: Cute little faeries that launch into the sky dancing/flying playfully.
In actuality, they were projectiles that spun haphazardly around until gaining enough momentum to launch randomly skyward then shoot down at dangerous speeds and into anything in their path. Suffice to say, they were recalled.
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