All too often we write about toys or other products designed for use with children that due to a defect of one kind or another result in harm or even death to a child in Pennsylvania or elsewhere in the country. Unfortunately, today we are writing about another defective product that is to blame in the death of four children.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has leveraged a $1.1 million fine against the seller of a toy gun set. According to the CPSC the company based in Plainfield, New Jersey, did not recall the product or report it to the agency despite the fact that it was aware of issues with the toy that could lead to death.
The "Auto Fire" toy consisting of a gun with darts was sold at Family Dollar for $1.50 for a four year span of time beginning in 2005. One year after it became available, in 2006, an 8-year-old died after choking on a dart. At this point though language was added to the package that indicated the toy should be used under the supervision of a parent, the business did not inform the CPSC of the problem. In 2007, two more children died after choking on the darts while playing with the toy and still nothing was done. According to a CPSC document, despite the additional deaths and the request by Family Dollar that the toy be recalled, the seller of the toy failed to do so.
Though the seller has agreed to the fine, he denies that he was aware that he violated the law or that he was aware of the defect.
Source: The Star-Ledger, "Plainfield toy gun seller fined $1.1M after 4 deaths," Eliot Caroom, Oct. 19, 2011