Every year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) receives about 15 reports of choking deaths to children under age 3. Many involve items that are known hazards — small toys, toy parts, balloons, balls, and marbles. But many tragic deaths result from hidden hazards: small objects not intended for children that accidentally end up in their hands and mouths, and toys that look safe but break apart into deadly small parts during normal play.
What Makes a Part a Choking Hazard
Under federal law, any object that fits completely into CPSC’s small parts cylinder — which approximates the size of the fully expanded throat of a child under three years old — is considered a small part and is banned from products intended for children under 3. The hazard is not just about obvious small objects. Toys that appear solid can break during use and release small parts, button-cell batteries, or spherical components that become immediately life-threatening if swallowed.
Recently Recalled and Warning-Listed Toys
CPSC has issued a steady stream of recalls and safety warnings against children’s toys for choking hazard violations in 2025 and 2026, including:
- ATOYUS children’s wooden activity cubes (sold on Amazon by Melofaver US) — mallets have spherical ends that pose a choking hazard; violate the small parts ban
- BABESIDE doll and stroller toy sets (sold on Amazon by HYBDOLLS) — include a small pacifier accessory and detachable plush bear eyes that pose a choking hazard to children under 3
- Kindly Toys Customized Busy Board Toys — clock hands, beads, and plane propeller components can break off, creating small parts that pose a choking hazard
- Zhengxin Arts Pounding Ball Table Toys — contain small balls that pose a choking hazard
- Huaker Magnetic Balls and Rods Sets — contain small balls intended for children under 3, violating the small ball ban
- TheKiddoSpace Peg Doll Children’s Toys — peg dolls can block a child’s airway; violate the small parts ban
Safety Tips for Parents
- Always check the age recommendation on toys before purchasing. Age recommendations are based on safety concerns, not just developmental readiness.
- Keep toys designed for children 3 and older out of reach of younger children.
- Regularly inspect toys for broken parts, detached components, or loose pieces that could become choking hazards.
- Keep small objects like marbles, coins, and toy accessories off the floor and out of reach.
- Balloons are a leading cause of toy-related deaths — keep un-inflated balloons and balloon fragments away from young children.
- Check SaferProducts.gov regularly for recalls on toys you own.
To report a dangerous toy or a product-related injury, visit SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772.
