What do a doll
that can eat a child's hair,
a cancer-causing science kit
and a deadly prop gun
all have in common?
They're all real toys
that were once available
on store shelves.
Over the years, countless dangerous toys
have made it through safety regulations
and into our homes.
Today, we'll be counting down
the worst of the bunch.
Did you ever play with any
of these toys?
Then you might want to pay attention.
Don’t let their bright colors
fool you.
Only in 2019,
more than 220,000 people
were admitted to emergency departments
in the U.S.
because of toy-related injuries.
More than 160,000
were kids aged 14 or younger.
Sadly,
some of the infamous items
we will explore today
have severely injured
and killed children.
If you have any of these
at home,
you’d better follow along
so you can survive
these colorful killers.
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Ok, your data may be protected now,
but you still need to survive
the lousiest toys ever made.
Launched in the 1940s,
this toy gun could shoot
ping pong balls
at an astonishing speed,
due to an explosive chemical reaction.
It included 'magic'
calcium carbide crystals,
which mixed with water
produced acetylene gas,
a highly flammable substance.
So when the kid pulled the trigger....
bang!
Today,
the Austin Magic Pistol
is considered a firearm
by many U.S. states.
An explosive chemical reaction
on your hands
sounds like a terrible idea,
so you'd better
wear safety gloves
and goggles.
Also,
acetylene gas
is extremely dangerous
close to open flames.
Keep this pistol holstered
at your next barbecue.
The popular Cabbage Patch dolls
of the 1980s
acquired a bad reputation
when this toy was released in 1996.
This iteration had mechanical jaws
that chewed the included
plastic carrots and french fries
fed to it by its young owner.
”Wow. She really chews”.
The problem started when
children got their hair or fingers
caught in the doll's jaws
and it wouldn't let go.
Upset American parents were calling 9-1-1
to deal with the aftermath,
and after 100 reported incidents
Snacktime Kids
were removed from shelves.
If you end up playing
with this hungry toy,
you'd better tie your hair back
or keep your beard out of the way.
Also released in the 1990s,
these flying fairy dolls
were propelled into the air
by pulling a cord at their base.
They were supposed to launch straight up
like a helicopter,
then gently fall back down.
But the reality
is that these were terribly unpredictable
and hazardous.
According to reports,
more than 150 people
suffered eye injuries,
broken teeth
and even fractured ribs.
Eventually,
nearly nine million of them
were recalled.
To survive playing with these dreadful
little propellers,
consider wearing a face shield
and helmet.
Remember to take them outside,
as it can be more dangerous
if one collides with a ceiling fan
or other household objects.
With this toy,
children could create amazing figures
by putting small dots together
and then spraying them with water.
The dots were coated
with a chemical that,
when reacted with water,
fused them together.
Trouble began
when the children started
putting the beads in their mouths.
When swallowed,
the chemical metabolized
into GHB,
a substance known for being
a date-rape drug.
Aqua Dots were directly linked
to causing seizures,
breathing issues,
and, in extreme cases, comas.
As a result,
more than four million kits
were recalled from stores
in 2007.
In court,
the company that manufactured the toy
was accused of substituting
the safer chemical
1,5-pentanediol
for a dangerous one
to save about $7,000 per metric ton.
In this case,
not cutting corners
on the part of the manufacturer
would have meant producing a toy
that wouldn't do serious harm
to children.
Released in the 1950s,
this toy was intended to teach children
about nuclear energy,
so it included four different
uranium ores.
What could go wrong, right?
It also featured a Geiger Counter
to measure radiation.
The creators claimed that uranium 238,
included in the kit,
wasn’t able to cause
a nuclear chain reaction
and that the alpha particles it emitted
were blocked by human skin.
That was true.
But what adventurous child
doesn’t have open wounds here and there?
This left them vulnerable to uranium
entering their bloodstream.
This could lead to leukemia,
lung and bone cancer,
and kidney damage.
Luckily, the Gilbert U-238
Atomic Energy Lab
has been shelved for decades.
If you happen to come across
one of these antiques,
you toss on a Hazmat suit.
Unfortunately,
not even that would offer you
full protection
against the alpha particles it emits.
Your best bet
is to keep as much distance
between you and it as possible.
This list of treacherous toys
shows you that just because
something looks warm
and inviting
doesn't mean it can't kill you.
It's like these cute little creatures.
If you let your guard down,
one of them could kill you
in under 10 minutes.
Want to know which one?
Find out here.