Some of the most beloved summer toys in America may be posing a bigger threat to your kids than you might have realized. World Against Toys Causing Harm (W.A.T.C.H) is a Boston-based consumer advocacy group that releases an annual “Top 10 Summer Safety Traps” list every June in honor of National Safety Month to inform parents and caregivers of potential threats in their own backyards.

“Do not be lulled into a false sense of security that a toy or activity is safe simply because it is popular,” noted Joan E. Siff, President of W.A.T.C.H.

Due to the danger present among many well-known summer toys and activities, July and August account for more preventable, accidental deaths than any other two-month period during the year.

W.A.T.C.H Director James A. Swartz cautioned, “Unfortunately, we see some of the same potential hazards, hazards that should be well known to the industry, reappear year after year.”

The safety list includes many water-based toys and activities, including baby pools, high-powered water guns, inflatable pool rings, water balloon slingshots, on-ground water slides like Slip ‘N Slides, pool covers, and defective pool drain covers.

“One of our goals...is to be proactive and raise awareness about water safety including those hazards that may not be widely known such as water rings that can flip over, trapping a child’s head under water, pool covers that collect rainwater, or pool drain covers that are broken, outdated or defective,” explained Siff and Swartz.

The list also highlights additional safety risks such as projectile-firing toy guns, trampoline parks, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and non-motorized scooters, a common item responsible for the most toy-related injuries.

Siff and Swatz also warn parents and caregivers to look for potential dangers in toys ordered online before children play with them, especially safety hazards possibly not mentioned on the website.

You can review the full 2019 “Top 10 Summer Safety Traps” list here.