Boston-based watchdog group highlights dangers of pools, other toys
BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on a consumer watchdog group’s warning about 10 types of potentially unsafe summer toys (all times local):
1:30 p.m.
A consumer watchdog group says the recent drowning of Olympic skier Bode (BOH’-dee) Miller’s toddler daughter underscores how unsafe swimming pools can be.
World Against Toys Causing Harm, better known by its acronym, W.A.T.C.H., says even shallow wading pools can be dangerous.
The Boston-based organization issued its annual list of summer toys that can pose a hazard to children. Thursday’s release coincided with the first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
W.A.T.C.H. also singled out water balloon slingshots, lawn darts, all-terrain vehicles, 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.
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10:15 a.m.
A Boston-based consumer watchdog group has warned 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.
