On April 15, 2016, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall of Moogy Plush toys. The importer and distributor, Miniland Educational Corp., of Miami, FL., sold approximately 2,000 of the Moogy Plush toy from July 2015 to February 2016 in the United States. Moogy Plush toys were designed for toddlers between 12 and 36 months of age.

 

The Moogy Plush toy is about 18.5 inches tall, has a blue and green face, red ears, a blue jacket with a red zipper, pink/red striped pants, and pink and orange shoes with polka dots. However, the red button on the left pocket can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Many consumers shop under the false pretense that toys bought from big-name manufacturers and retailers are not dangerous. Dangerous toys are still available for sale far too often. In fact, seeing a familiar name on a package can lead to a false sense of security that the toy enclosed is safe. Small parts on toys have been a perpetual, often deadly, and shockingly overlooked hazard. Over the years, many toys have been recalled because of easily detachable small parts, or affixed small parts that can be mouthed and occlude a child’s airway. Many toys on store shelves may not violate industry or regulatory standards but are nevertheless clearly dangerous, given the inadequacy of existing standards. For instance, toys with soft parts that can detach and become lodged in a child’s throat are often not considered “small parts” by the industry. Young oral age children are at risk when they break off pieces of shoddily made or inadequately designed toys. These hidden hazards have led to many incidents of deaths and brain damage, yet can still be found in newly designed toys.

The bottom line for parents and caregivers – please inspect all toys carefully before making your purchases. Understand the potential hazards, which may be lurking despite existing government standards.

About the Author: James Swartz
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Mr. Swartz, our Managing and Principal Attorney at Swartz & Swartz P.C., is a nationally recognized and respected trial attorney as well as consumer advocate. His practice focuses on cases involving negligence, torts, products liability, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and other claims involving catastrophic injuries.

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