During this Christmas season, it is more important than ever that parents are very careful of what toys they buy their children. Most recently, a small toy that absorbs water and expands to up to 400 times its original size has been voluntarily recalled after a report that baby ingested one of these toys and needed surgery to remove it.
It appears that nearly 95,000 Water Balz (they have a round shape), Growing Skulls (they are shaped like skulls), H2O Orbs “Despicable Me” (they have a round shape) and Fabulous Flowers (they are shaped like flowers) are being recalled. This is according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Health Canada, and Cleveland-based importer DuneCraft, Inc., who announced the recall on Monday, December 17, 2012. These toys were manufactured in both China and United States, and were sold in packages of six and in a variety of colors including green, yellow, red, blue, and black. The toys were sold in stores throughout United States and Canada from 2010 to November 2012. The recall includes a recommendation that consumers immediately stop using the product.
The reported case of an eight month old Texas girl noted that the baby had ingested the toy last year and underwent surgery to remove it. The packaging notes that the toy can grow to the size of a racquetball. So the marble sized toy can be swallowed and once it reaches the stomach of the baby, it can expand. This presents a danger that could cause blockage of the small intestine. Additionally, the toys may not show up on x-ray.
If you or someone you know have been injured by a recalled toy, contact the attorneys at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling (713) 222-7211 or 713-222-7211.