Before you shop for the holidays, here is what federal safety officials and pediatricians say about the biggest toy hazards for kids, from small parts and magnets to button batteries and water beads, and how to check a toy for recalls for free.
The numbers: toy injuries in 2024
The latest CPSC toy report, Toy-Related Deaths and Injuries, Calendar Year 2024, was published in April 2026. It estimates that 267,100 toy-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments in 2024. Of those, 180,900 were to children 14 or younger and 91,600 to children 4 or younger. The head and face were hurt most often (45%), and 95% of patients were treated and released. Nonmotorized scooters were tied to more injuries than any other specific toy, 23% of the estimate. CPSC received reports of 6 toy-related deaths of children 14 or younger in 2024, and 54 for 2022 through 2024. CPSC notes that the 2023 and 2024 death counts are incomplete, and that a toy being involved does not mean it caused the injury or death.
1. Small parts and choking: follow the age label
- CPSC: "Keep balls and toys with small parts away from children younger than three." (CPSC Holiday Safety)
- The AAP's HealthyChildren.org: "Think LARGE." It says to make sure all toys and parts are larger than your child's mouth. (How to Buy Safe Toys)
- Why it matters: one of the 2024 deaths in CPSC's report was a 6-month-old who choked on small pretend food shaped like a mushroom.
2. High-powered magnets
- In the findings for its federal magnet rule, CPSC estimates that 26,600 magnet ingestions were treated in U.S. emergency departments from 2010 through 2021. It is aware of five deaths between Nov. 24, 2005 and Jan. 5, 2021, four of them children 2 or younger. Swallowed magnets can attract each other through internal tissue and cause bowel blockage, perforation and other serious injuries. (16 CFR 1262.5)
- HealthyChildren.org: "Be careful about buying toys with small batteries (button or lithium coin) or high-powered magnets."
3. Button cell and coin batteries
- CPSC says a swallowed button battery can burn through a child's throat or esophagus in as little as two hours. From 2011 through 2021, it is aware of 27 deaths and an estimated 54,300 emergency department injuries involving these batteries. (CPSC, Sept. 11, 2023)
- Reese's Law (Aug. 16, 2022) led to a mandatory federal standard. Battery compartments must need a tool such as a screwdriver or coin to open, or two separate movements done at the same time. Batteries must come in child-resistant packaging with warnings.
- Recent example: on Oct. 22, 2026, CPSC announced a recall of BAMAMON LED projecting finger light toys (pictured). CPSC said the battery compartments can be easily reached by children, which violates the mandatory toy standard. About 6,533 were sold on Amazon.com for about $13 to $14. Stop using them and contact the firm for a refund.
- If you think a child swallowed a battery, CPSC says to go to the emergency room right away and not to delay. For treatment information, it lists the National Battery Ingestion Hotline (800-498-8666) and Poison Help (800-222-1222).
4. Water beads
- CPSC says water beads can grow up to 100 times their size in water. It estimates 6,300 water bead ingestion injuries were treated in U.S. emergency departments from 2017 to 2022, and it reports the 2023 death of a 10-month-old girl. A federal water bead toy standard took effect on March 12, 2026. (CPSC, March 12, 2026)
- The gap: CPSC says water beads sold as craft, decor or gardening products are outside the toy rule, and it advises keeping them away from where children live and play. If beads start coming out of a toy, such as a water bead-filled ball, throw it away.
- Recent example: on Oct. 22, 2026, CPSC warned consumers to stop using squishy toys distributed by Kaizou Group (pictured) immediately because of the risk of water bead ingestion.
5. Balloons, scooters and packaging
- CPSC: "Keep deflated balloons away from children younger than eight."
- CPSC: provide safety gear, including helmets for scooters and other riding toys, and make sure kids wear it every time. One of the 2024 deaths in its report was an 11-year-old on a nonmotorized scooter who was hit by a truck.
- CPSC says to throw away plastic wrapping and other packaging right after gifts are opened.
6. Know your seller and read the label
- CPSC says to buy from stores and online retailers you know and trust, and to be wary of online deals that seem too good to be true, because the toys may be hazardous or counterfeit.
- HealthyChildren.org says to read warning labels, choose sturdy plastic toys that won't break into sharp pieces, look for "nontoxic" on the label, and remove loose ribbons or strings from stuffed toys.
How to check whether a toy has been recalled
- Search the brand or product at cpsc.gov/Recalls. CPSC says to check there before buying secondhand.
- Search SaferProducts.gov for recalls and consumer reports, or report an unsafe product there. CPSC's hotline is 800-638-2772.
- In Canada, search recalls-rappels.canada.ca.
- If a toy is recalled, stop using it and follow the remedy in the notice. HealthyChildren.org says recalled toys "should be removed right away." CPSC notes that federal law prohibits selling recalled products.
This checklist summarizes official safety guidance and is not medical advice.
For the full weekly market brief: The ToyDirectory Intelligence Report
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