Consumer groups are warning parents and families of the dangers of Pop It toys following an incident wherein a tiny piece of the toy was embedded in the gum of a toddler.
The incident was posted on Facebook by CPR Kids, a group of pediatric registered nurses that provides information, classes, and sessions on child safety. CPR Kids posted a warning about the dangers of the poorly made toy; after a mother and a toddler's aunt contacted them about it. The bubbles easily pop out of the toy and can be easily mistaken for candy. It could embed in kids' gums when eaten, making it a choking hazard.
Choking Hazard
According to Honey9, a woman named Kendall posted that she noticed a bit of pink in her nephew's mouth while holding him. Upon further investigation, she found out it was a gumball. Her sister, the child's mother, realized it was rubber, so she pulled at it. The toy somehow broke off and got stuck in the boy's top gums.
She added it was fortunate the toy got suctioned in his teeth and did not choke his nephew. She warned others that the toy had a faulty part as a piece must have broken off and fallen on the floor, and her nephew must have gotten it. She clarified that her nephew is not allowed to play with it.
She warned those who also have the same toy in their house to check and ensure that it is of good quality. They brought the toy made of very flimsy rubber from a mall kiosk.
The tiny bubbles resemble a candy-like gumball or a Smartie, and a toddler could have easily mistaken it for food. Kendall's sister urged everyone to share their story to prevent any untoward incident.
Pop It Toy
Pop It toys are popular "fidget toys" designed to help those with sensory conditions such as autism and ADHD. The toy is popular with children as it features bubbles of silicon that can be popped in and out. The expensive version is found online in toy shops, but the cheaper versions have flooded the market.
According to a report in Chicago Times, consumer advocates were concerned about the mass production of Pop It toys by counterfeiters, especially during the Christmas season.
While the original toy is silicone and features proper label warnings and age recommendations, the counterfeit versions are of poorer quality and have none of the said warnings.
According to Abe Scarr, the Public Interest Research Group in Illinois, as counterfeiters have replicated the product, it can be confusing for consumers to know which are sold by reputable sellers whose products have undergone safety testing.
Scarr also reported that in reviews of products sold at Amazon, there were reports of bubbles breaking within the first day of children playing with it, making it a choking hazard for kids.
