Associated Press | The asphyxiation deaths of a two boys prompted the government Monday to announce the recall
of 1.8 million toy dart gun sets. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said a 9-year-old boy in Chicago
and a 10-year-old boy in Milwaukee died after they chewed on the
one-inch soft plastic darts, which slipped into their throats.
The small suction cup part of the dart cut off their breathing. The dart gun sets were sold nationwide at Family Dollar stores.
Photos at The Problem Solver blog >>
“We want parents to know about the risks to children during the preteen years that can come from aspirating these toy darts,” warned CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum.
The dart gun sets were imported by Henry Gordy International in New Jersey. CPSC says Henry Gordy refused to recall the dart set so Family Dollar Stores worked with the agency on recalling the product.
Family Dollar, based just outside of Charlotte, N.C., said the company hasn’t sold the dart sets in more than a year but agreed to the recall as a way to alert customers who purchased the product.
The “Auto Fire” toy dart set was sold exclusively at Family Dollar stores from September 2005 through January 2009 for about $1.50.
The orange darts measure just over an inch in length and have a small suction cup at one end with a diameter of about a-half inch. “Gordy Toy” is printed on the packaging.
The agency advises people to immediately take the dart gun sets from children and discard them. Family Dollar will offer a refund.
Instead of recalling the toy, recall the parents for being irresponsible about teaching the children how to play safely, and not put toys in their months. These kids were old enough to know better. Typical government reaction to something that a parent could have prevented.
how about not buying toy guns for kids who are so young that they still have to put things in their mouth. Sad that a 9 and 10 year old can’t handle it.
Once again, parents are never responsible. Parents, please teach your children to not eat plastic, concrete, paint, etc.
Recall EVERYTHING there is that is smaller than a breadbox.
While it is very sad news about a death of a child, I often wonder where is MOM when this is going on. With the number of soccer moms on my block, standing on the sidewalk, while their kids are in the street, I wonder if they are watching their kids do this. Just on Friday, Mom was talking to the neighbor, while both kids were in the middle of the street, kicking a soccer ball. I didn’t honk my horn, but just sat there, waiting for SOMEONE to say something. Mom looked at me like it was her boy’s street, and I shouldn’t be driving. Finally one of the boys noticed me, and told the other boy CAR. It took everything I had not to get out of the car and slap the mothers standing there.
Why are boys 9 and 10 chewing on darts?
Well, I guess you can chew on a dart but probably not a bullet. I say give tem real guns and teach them how to use them. Oh….and teach them how to use darts and dart guns too. And teach them not to chew on them. I guess what I’m getting at here is….”Teach…your children well……..”
Interesting how toy guns which are proven deadly to kids can be banned but real guns never kill kids and supposedly can never be banned.
I kind of agree with Laura in not buying toy guns for children – at any age – unless they have properly trained in firearm safety.
Let’s face it people, guns in any way shape or forms are NOT TOYS! There isn’t one thing playful about them.
Two kids dead from the same product in exactly the same way…good job on the recall! How many kids would have to die before some of you ding dongs would blow the whistle?
Here’s some advice – don’t buy your kids cheap toys from the dollar store. They’d be better served playing in dirt than the crap they sell in those stores.
If Happy Fun Ball begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter and cover head.
Caution: Happy Fun Ball may suddenly accelerate to dangerous speeds.
Warning: Pregnant women, the elderly, and children under 10 should avoid prolonged exposure to Happy Fun Ball.
Why would you give your kid a toy that shoots anything(besides a water pistol)? They could still shoot their own or someone else’s eye out.