Have you ever listened to your grandparents share stories of their adventurous childhood escapades? Frequently, they fondly reminisce, “Back in my day, children had the freedom to be kids!” Yet, it’s important to note that the toys from their era weren’t precisely safety models either. Recently, a popular online forum posed a question to the older generation: “What perilous toys and games did you engage in before they were eventually banned or recalled due to safety concerns?” The responses were nothing short of fascinating. One commenter succinctly captured the era’s essence, remarking, “It felt like nearly every toy from the ’70s had a vendetta against us, and we owned them all.” Prepare to be astonished by the bygone playthings that once captured children’s imaginations.
Barbie and Tanner
Barbie had the noble intention of encouraging responsible pet care, but a 2007 set took it too far. In this set, Tanner the pup had the remarkable ability to “consume” and “eliminate” food. Unfortunately, a critical safety flaw was that the magnet inside the scooper accessory could become detached. Now, if a curious toddler happened to ingest more than one of these magnets, the laws of physics could lead to severe issues like intestinal perforation or blockage, as noted by WebMD.
Clackers
Imagine dealing with that irritating knocking noise, but to make matters worse, this novelty toy from the ’70s ended up being withdrawn from the market just a decade later due to a significant safety concern. These acrylic balls had a troublesome tendency to crack or shatter, producing tiny, dangerous shards that had the potential to shoot into your face unexpectedly.
Homemade “Sleds”
Not all sleds required snowy conditions to be put to use. One forum member nostalgically shared, “We used to arrange couch cushions at the foot of the stairs and then ‘sled’ down on a cookie sheet.” Another chimed in, saying, “Absolutely! And we’d also slide down hills using cardboard.” However, a third commenter probably counts themselves fortunate to be alive, recounting, “We lived in a multi-story apartment building, and we’d regularly take cardboard and slide down the stairs for great fun, though we often ended up with some serious bumps and bruises.” Ah, the adventurous spirit of youth!
Mr. Potato Head
The initial Mr. Potato Head toy had a simple setup, featuring solely the eyes, nose, and various facial features, all equipped with small, pointed ends. Kids would grab whatever vegetables they could find, like potatoes or carrots, and start poking in these pieces to create funny faces. As one commenter noted, “We never thought any of this was risky, even though the parts were small enough to potentially fit a bunch of them in your mouth.” Their words certainly sound like they come from firsthand experience, and they were fortunate not to encounter any severe mishaps during their potato-inspired adventures.
Hoverboards
The highly sought-after product during the 2015 holiday season didn’t meet expectations. These battery-powered gadgets tended to erupt into flames if left charging for extended periods. The situation took a tragic turn when a 3-year-old lost their life due to a house fire in Pennsylvania caused by a faulty board. This unfortunate incident underscored the serious safety issues associated with the hot ticket item of that holiday season.
Super Elastic Bubble Plastic
In the past, a product called Super Elastic Bubble Plastic allowed you to transform liquid plastic into bubbles or balloons using a straw. Nowadays, you can still find a safer version of it. However, the earlier iteration of Super Elastic Bubble Plastic had a concerning flaw – it emitted harmful fumes that tended to accumulate inside the straw. This raised significant safety concerns, prompting the need for a much less risky alternative available today.
Lead Toys
As one forum commenter reminisced, back in the day, you could easily purchase toy soldiers made of lead, with a cheeky comment about how they distinctly remembered the taste of those little lead soldiers. Another forum member recalled the availability of a “lead melting kit” that allowed kids to craft their own army soldiers. Yet another person from that era had a rather unconventional hobby of dumpster-diving for lead seals discarded from wine bottles, which their brother would then melt and pour into molds. However, their lead-melting adventures ended abruptly when an accident occurred – a large piece of very cold solid lead inadvertently dropped into a container filled with scorching liquid lead, resulting in a dramatic explosion and the discontinuation of further lead-melting endeavors.
Lawn Darts
Weighted spikes soared through the air in what was considered a family-friendly backyard game. However, the reality was far from safe. It wasn’t until 1970 that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) took a firm stance, deeming “jarts” a significant hazard and initially banning them, eventually reaching an agreement with manufacturers to cease marketing them as toys. Even with these precautions, over the ’70s and ’80s, approximately 6,000 children were rushed to the hospital with jarts-related injuries, tragically resulting in three fatalities. The CPSC eventually imposed a permanent ban in 1988 and strongly encouraged consumers to dispose of any remaining sets to prevent further accidents.
Mini Hammocks
You might recall having lounged in one of these mini-hammocks during your childhood. Still, in 1996, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) had to take action. They recalled about 3 million of these mini-hammocks after tragically witnessing the deaths of 12 children. The absence of spreader bars in these hammocks made it possible for the net to twist around a child’s neck while getting in or out of the seat, highlighting a grave safety concern that necessitated the recall.
Atomic Laboratory Kits
Science-oriented toys continue to be favored by parents in the present day. However, it’s safe to say that a particular chemistry kit from the 1960s wouldn’t meet today’s safety standards. Known as the Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab and created by the same mind behind the Erector Set, this kit astonishingly included not one or two but four different varieties of uranium ore.
Mercury
In the era before digital thermometers, mercury-filled ones were the norm. A forum member shared a childhood memory of when their thermometer broke, and their mom allowed them to “play with the mercury rolling around on the floor.” Another commenter vividly recalled an experience with a bottle of mercury, mentioning, “I distinctly remember floating quarters in it and the strange sensation of pushing my hand down into a liquid that didn’t seem keen on having my hand in it.” Moreover, several forum participants reminisced about “mercury puzzles” – small globules of mercury that could be rolled through a plastic maze, providing what seems like an elementary yet fascinating pastime.
Fireworks
In the good old days, it was surprisingly easy for young kids to purchase firecrackers. One commenter remembered, “I even did it when I was six. Crazy times!” Another commenter recollected more daring escapades involving Roman candle and bottle rocket battles, reflecting, “Honestly, it’s a miracle none of us ended up losing an eye or a finger, considering how recklessly we behaved.” The stricter fireworks laws we have today sound much safer, don’t they?
Fidget Spinners
The trendsetting toy of 2017 wasn’t only a nuisance for educators; it also brought about safety concerns. Those plastic gadgets weren’t just causing teachers headaches; they also presented a choking risk. The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute discovered that both the official branded versions and their knock-off counterparts contained components that could potentially harm children under 3 if they happened to break off. This revelation shed light on a significant safety issue associated with the toy craze of that year.
Easy-Bake Oven
In a surprising turn of events, Hasbro had to recall Easy-Bake Ovens not just once but twice during 2007. The reason? Numerous children had suffered burns to their fingers due to getting trapped within these petite kitchen appliances. CBS reported a particularly harrowing case where a young girl had to undergo a partial amputation of her finger. In response to these alarming incidents, Hasbro significantly changed by introducing a newer oven version featuring an electric heating element instead of the traditional light bulb to enhance safety.
Aqua Dots
Imagine the joy of arranging those tiny beads, giving them a gentle spray of water, and watching your creation meld into one cohesive masterpiece – sounds like an enjoyable pastime. However, things took a sinister turn in the case of a 2007 toy. This toy had a troubling issue – its coating contained a harmful compound known as GHB, also known as the date rape drug, which could be released when ingested. When three children fell into comas after swallowing these toxic components, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) swiftly recalled approximately 4.2 million kits.
Buckyballs
Here’s yet another instance where magnets took an unexpected turn. Although they were never targeted initially at children, the highly sought-after Buckyballs, which hit the market in 2009, inevitably found their way into the hands of youngsters. Fast forward to 2012, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) had to step in, mandating a recall. The reason? A staggering 1,700 children had been in the emergency room after accidentally ingesting these potent magnets.
Slip ‘N’ Slide
While these sliding toys remain on the market, they’ve come under scrutiny due to reported neck injuries and even cases of paralysis resulting from their use. The once-beloved Slip ‘n’ Slide is now recommended primarily for children, with caution advised against use by teenagers and adults. Interestingly, there wasn’t the level of adult supervision that’s become common practice back in the day today. One forum member shared a vivid memory of attempting to stabilize the toy on a windy day with the help of bricks, with less-than-ideal results, saying, “You can guess how that went. I still have a scar down my right thigh to this day.”
Another participant recounted a DIY version of the slide at a summer camp, which involved duct-taping multiple tarps together, adding a hose, and greasing it up with dish soap. Surprisingly, no children or staff met any dire fates, leading to a touch of nostalgia for those good, albeit risky, times!
Trampolines
Indeed, these items haven’t been banned outright. Still, they’ve been updated with numerous safety warnings and the addition of “enclosure nets” to prevent children from bouncing off recklessly. However, in the good old days, such safeguards were often non-existent. One user humorously admitted, “I’m honestly not sure how I survived those times.” Another individual, inheriting their penchant for mayhem from their mother, shared a wild family tradition: “My mom and her siblings used to boost each other onto the roof of their single-story garage, then leap onto a trampoline and into a kiddie pool. It resulted in several broken bones, lost teeth, and plenty of blood.” Clearly, some families had unique and rather painful legacies to pass on.
Killer Playground Equipment
Back then, playgrounds lacked safety features, cushioned surfaces, or protective measures. One forum member reminisced about the massive metal monkey bars set atop unforgiving concrete, recounting how they once tumbled from the highest point, breaking an arm and a foot. However, the allure of climbing never waned, and they were soon back on the bars after their casts were removed. Others recalled the thrill of sliding down scorching hot metal slides during sweltering summers, often experiencing painful falls. And who could forget the spinning toy that kids operated by pulling and pushing bars until they reached 30 to 35 miles per hour, resulting in the occasional violent ejection? It may have been perilous, but oh, the sheer delight it brought!
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