Reference no: EM133205668 , Length: word count:250
W.A.T.C.H. Toy Analysis
Every year, a nonprofit company out of Boston, Massachusetts, known as World Against Toys Causing Harm (W.A.T.C.H.), Inc. puts out a list of the most hazardous toys. Many people use these lists to ensure that they do not purchase toys for children that could cause harm.
For this discussion, assume you work for W.A.T.C.H., and you have decided that the toy described below is a hazardous toy.
Name of toy: Superduper Squirter and Shooter
Description: This gun looks like the real thing and allows children to learn how to defend themselves at a young age. The gun not only shoots water at a high velocity to scare off your enemies but also can be converted to a spring-powered paintball and chalk dart shooter for tons of fun.
Package Labels and Instructions:
Appropriate for ages six and older.
Safety glasses are provided and should be worn at all times.
Safety glasses may not prevent eye injury.
Do not aim squirter/shooter directly at others.
For outside use.
Assignment Instruction:
For your initial response, prepare an explanation of why you have placed this toy on the hazardous toy list.
In addition to describing hazards, you should incorporate course material and terminology related to product liability, such as manufacturing defects, design defects, flawed warnings or lack thereof, or breach of warranties.
You might want to view a recent W.A.T.C.H. report to see what the organization finds to be hazardous about some toys
Remember, the goal is to prevent harm, usually to children.
The toy is designed to look real and lacks the blaze orange plug required by US Code § 5001, which regulates the commerce of imitation firearms. (Legal Information Institute, n.d.) Additionally, the toy packaging encourages the conversion of the water gun into a propellant-launching toy without providing necessary instructions or safety warnings.
Flawed Warnings:
Packaging lacks sufficient warnings and instructions such as the need for parental supervision, a warning against bodily injury by high-velocity water squirting into the face and eyes or blunt force or impact injuries resulting from the toy's conversion to a shooter. Additionally, the warning to not aim the toy directly at others is insufficient and should specify people, animals, and property (cars, buildings).
Because of the design defect and the manufacturers' failure to comply with the regulations of imitation firearms, they could be found in strict liability for injuries or damages caused by their product (McAdams, pg. 311)