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Case Questions Lead to Research Into Safer Toys
Posted August 10, 2007
A recently completed case brought to light just how unsafe a child’s toy can be. A 5 year old child fell on a sharp plastic asparagus spear (provided as an “educational” toy) that he was holding in his mouth. The sharp point of the spear went through the back of his throat, lacerated his carotid artery and caused a stroke. Hayes + Associates, Inc., in collaboration with Triodyne, Inc., sought to make toy designers and users more aware of puncture/impaling hazards and to identify design alternatives to prevent similar injuries. The research was published in the proceedings of the 2005 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and RD&D Expo and can be downloaded using the link to the left.
