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Aqua Dots -

In 2007, Aqua Dots were introduced as a unique and harmless method for children to unleash their creativity by wetting small beads to form bonds. However, a significant problem arose when it was discovered that the beads' coating contained GHB, a hazardous substance known for its ability to render individuals helpless and sedated. As a result, a considerable number of children fell victim to poisoning and went into comas. Consequently, Aqua Dots were promptly withdrawn from circulation.

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Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Laboratory -

It is quite remarkable that we did not witness the loss of an entire generation due to this toy. The Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Laboratory lived up to its name, as each unit of this popular 1960s toy contained four varieties of radioactive uranium.

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Buckyballs -

Magnets were once the key element in popular toys. Buckyballs, however, offered a unique twist by making the magnets the main attraction. While it was undoubtedly enjoyable to build different shapes with these magnetic balls, the enticing appearance of these metal beads led to approximately 1,700 children being brought to emergency rooms after mistakenly swallowing them.

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Hoverboards -

Although they don't truly hover, these 'hoverboards' were extremely popular gifts for kids in 2015. Regrettably, many children who received them soon regretted their wishes. The devices had a troublesome tendency to overheat during charging, resulting in multiple cases where they burst into flames. Tragically, a young child died when their charging hoverboard started a fire in their home.

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Jarts -

Jarts, also known as javelin darts or lawn darts, has an unfortunate reputation. These objects, resembling spikes, are meant for children to throw in their yard. Unsurprisingly, from the 1970s to the '80s, around 6,000 children were admitted to hospitals due to injuries caused by these large metal-tipped toys.

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Magnetix -

Magnetix appeared as an excellent concept for a construction toy set and garnered immense popularity at first. However, things took a turn when the small magnets inside the building joints began detaching, resulting in the unfortunate demise of a child and the hospitalization of 28 others. Many children swallowed the tiny pieces of metal and suffered internal injuries. 

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Children's hammocks -

In 1996, it was discovered that the humble hammock had a concerning flaw. Despite being a well-established item, around three million child-sized hammocks needed to be withdrawn from the market. This recall followed the tragic deaths of 12 children who were strangled by the netting.

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Rollerblade Barbie -

Barbie dolls come in various designs, including a rollerblading Barbie. What made this particular Barbie unique were the two small lighters incorporated into her rollerblades. The concept was for these rollerblades to emit sparks when in motion. Unfortunately, this feature proved to be quite hazardous, as any flammable objects in close proximity were at risk of catching fire.

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Cabbage Patch Snacktime Kid -

In 1996, the well-liked Cabbage Patch Kids toy line introduced the Snacktime Kid, which featured a mechanized mouth to consume the plastic food items included in the packaging. However, there arose an issue as the doll was unable to differentiate between edible and non-edible objects, leading to several instances where it would inadvertently consume children's hair up to their scalps or even cause injuries to fingers.

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Trampoline -

This one is obvious. Surely just about everyone has been a part of or at least heard of a horrific trampoline-related accident.

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'Battlestar Galactica' Viper spaceship -

In 1978, the original 'Battlestar Galactica' TV series caused a big commotion and prompted a flood of merchandise. The best-selling item was the Viper spaceship replica, a hit with kids for its ability to shoot plastic pellets resembling laser beams. However, the joy was short-lived as children began choking on the plastic pieces. As a result of a successful lawsuit against the toy manufacturer Mattel, it became mandatory for toys with similar characteristics to display a warning about choking hazards on their packaging.

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Candy cigarettes -

While candy cigarettes may not pose an immediate danger or fatality, they are undoubtedly distasteful. It is crucial not to romanticize a behavior that may lead children to potentially deadly consequences when they transition to actual cigarettes in the future.

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Clackers -

Clackers: a desire for every child and a concern for every parent. Created with the sole intent of producing maximum noise, they unquestionably fulfilled this expectation. Regrettably, the initial models had a tendency to break and potentially cause harm to children by both posing a choking hazard and increasing the probability of cuts.

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Slip n' Slide -

Slip n' Slides serve as a playful reminder for adults to stick to their designated area. Although there have been very few from the intended users of this enjoyable backyard toy, in 1999, they were forced to recall a total of nine million units. This was due to a few older, larger individuals experiencing lasting injuries to their necks and spines.

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The Thingmaker -

It's obvious that it's not safe for children's toys to reach temperatures as high as 300°F (149°C). Unfortunately, this was a feature of the original Creepy Crawler Thingmaker, resulting in injuries to children.

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Pogs -

In the 1990s, these vibrant game discs became a popular fixture in playgrounds. However, akin to actual gambling, they brought out negative behavior in players, resulting in playground fights. Consequently, they were swiftly prohibited in many schools to curb such incidents.

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Kinder Surprise -

Children in the United States could only savor this delight briefly before it was considered unsafe for American markets. Nevertheless, numerous countries continue to relish the tiny toys concealed within these scrumptious chocolate eggs.

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Big Thunder Sword Fountain firework -

For most people, the first thing you do when you light a firework is run for cover. It seems that the Big Thunder fireworks company didn't feel that was a necessary precaution. They introduced a firework 'sword' that allowed users to hold and swing it with delight as it shot out pyrotechnics. However, as anticipated, these swords were only available for one fireworks season because numerous accidents were reported of the fireworks blowing up in people's hands.

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Burger King's Poké Balls -

Burger King once held a campaign in the late 1990s where their kids' meals came with a Poké Ball as a collectible. Unfortunately, the poorly constructed plastic balls broke easily, and several children to choked to death on the broken pieces.

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Ace Bayou bean bag chairs -

Bean bag chairs are a well-liked and seemingly uncomplicated creation. Nonetheless, the brand Ace Bayou somehow made a grave mistake with their product. The brand's handy zippers and loose interior 'beans' led to two separate tragedies where children suffocated to death after climbing inside their bean bags and choking on the foam beads within.

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Little Lady Stove -

In the 1960s, alongside the less outrageous Easy-Bake Oven, there existed a children's toy called the Empire Little Lady Stove. Surprisingly, the manufacturers chose to equip this toy with the same, if not more, cooking capabilities as an actual stove. The Little Lady Stove could reach scorching temperatures of over 600°F (316°C), posing a clear potential for disaster.

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Bird of Paradise slingshot -

Little information is available about this slingshot toy from the 1960s, said to propel "razor sharp" pellets. The Bird of Paradise slingshot swiftly became an early toy recall by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

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Leatherman for kids -

When developing a multi-tool for children requiring parental supervision and prioritizing safety is crucial. Unfortunately, the Leatherman multi-tool specifically designed for kids did not meet this essential requirement. The company acknowledged a "defect in the locking mechanism" of the knife, which resulted in it popping up at random.

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Razor Jetts -

The name Razor was well-known among schoolkids of a certain era. They had a reputation for making top-notch scooters. The introduction of their new product, Razor Jetts, caused excitement among children. These innovative Jetts consisted of two sets of wheels that could be easily attached to any pair of shoes. However, parents and safety organizations were not as thrilled. The new Jetts included spark pads on the heels, which posed a risk of fire hazards scattering in various directions.

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'CSI' fingerprint kit -

The 'CSI' fingerprint kit aimed to provide children with a glimpse into the world of forensic investigation. However, instead of the intended experience, kids were exposed to cancer-causing asbestos. The kit included this harmful substance in the form of fine powder for fingerprint dusting.

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Toxic 'Hannah Montana' cards -

The Disney Channel series 'Hannah Montana' was widely cherished during the 2000s. Unfortunately, the card game inspired by the show faced significant issues. It was discovered that the cards contained a shocking amount of lead, surpassing the legal limit by 75 times. Surprisingly, a legal loophole allowed the government to overlook this concern as the lead was found in the vinyl coating rather than the card paint. Consequently, no recall could be enforced based on legal grounds.

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Alien Wiggle toy -

Fortunately, the Alien Wiggle toy was quickly pulled from the market after its release due to a recall and discontinuation. The alien toy's outer layer, which was made of a gel-like material, was discovered to contain E. coli bacteria. This contamination is believed to have occurred during the production process involving tainted water.

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Frozen Treats Slime Kit -

The Frozen Treats Slime kit (not featured in the image) was designed to be unsuccessful from the start. It permitted children to transform the inedible and unsafe Nickelodeon slime into a form that resembled real ice cream in color, shape, and even scent. It is quite astonishing that they genuinely didn't expect kids to eat it and get sick. 

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Toys with phthalates -

Similar to lead, a major product used in the vast majority of plastic toys, phthalate was discovered to pose serious health risks. However, it has been linked to significant health risks, including infertility and breast cancer. 

Sources: (List25) (The Talko) (Good Housekeeping)

See also: Classic toys and their origins

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