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10 most dangerous toys
Toys ranging from a pair of oversized fists to plush ponies and energy beam blasters make the list.
November 21, 2005: 10:38 AM EST
By Grace Wong, CNN/Money staff writer
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NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - What do dolls and ponies have in common with crossbows and energy beam blasters? They're all toys that have the potential to cause childhood injuries, or even death, according to an organization advocating toy safety.

World Against Toys Causing Harm, also known as W.A.T.C.H., issued its annual 10 Worst Toys list for 2005 on Thursday. Most of the toys on the list -- which aren't ranked in a particular order -- could cause choking or face and eye injuries.

The Toy Industry Association said the list is helpful in that it focuses attention on toy safety.

But "we have found in the past that the products that appear on this list have been proven by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to be safe," Julie Livingston, spokeswoman for the industry trade group said.

She said parents should use their own judgement when they buy toys. They can check the Consumer Product Safety Commission's Web site for product recalls and should pay attention to age guidelines on toy packaging, she said.

Parents need be especially vigilant during the holidays as children will be receiving several gifts during this time, Livingston added.

Toys singled out by W.A.T.C.H. include Target's Baby Serena - Baby I'm Yours doll, which comes with a rattle and bottles that can be disassembled into small parts that could be swallowed.

Fisher Price's Little Mommy Bath Baby Doll, made by Mattel, also comes with a bottle whose parts could cause choking, the consumer safety organization said.

Animal Alley Ponies, distributed by Toys R Us, can cause ingestion injuries, W.A.T.C.H. said. The soft, colorful ponies aimed at infants have long, fiberlike hair that can be hazardous.

City Blocks, distributed by IQ Preschool - Small World Toys, also made the list because of the potential for ingestion and choking injuries.

The Camouflage Water Bomb Fun Kit from Pioneer Worldwide -- a slingshot capable of forcefully firing "water bombs" -- could cause eye injuries, W.A.T.C.H. said.

The Splatmatic Pistol Splat Paintball Shooter, which fires paint balls at a high velocity, also made the list because of its potential for eye, face and other impact injuries, as did Hasbro's Star Wars - Revenge of the Sith Energy Beam Blaster, which comes with pressurized "energy-beam string canisters."

W.A.T.C.H. also said The Lord of the Rings - Return of the King Uruk-Hai Crossbow set, which catapults arrows at high velocity, is dangerous because of its potential to cause eye injuries.

Geospace International's 38" Air Kicks Kickaroos Anti-Gravity Boots, which fit over shoes and help children bounce around, also made the list. The manufacturer instructs users to "always remain in control of your motions," but that directive is unrealistic, W.A.T.C.H. said, citing the toy's potential for head or other impact injuries.

Toy Biz's Fantastic 4 Electronic Thing Hands -- a pair of oversized fists -- made the list because it could cause blunt impact injuries.

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