How many people know what is secretly hidden among the numerous boxes and bags tucked under their tree? The hazards nowadays are endless, especially if you have little children in your house who are still obsessed with the newest toys.

In the year 2007 alone, around six hundred toys have been recalled due to mainly lead paint, but also

other dangerous hazards, some items not even containing a warning label. One such toy called Aqua Dots, was recently recalled in early November for containing a coating of chemicals that when metabolized with water, becomes the compound hydroxyl butyrate, or the “date-rape drug.” Aqua Dots are colorful toy beads that can be arranged into designs, and then fused together by water to make them stick. Children who have ingested them slipped out of consciousness for a few hours and woke up only to vomit, but they became healthy again within twenty-four hours.

Many parents are complaining about Aqua Dots and other toys as well. “There wasn’t warning on the box that said they were toxic or that they were a choking hazard,” states a concerned mother when interviewed about her child eating one of the Dots.

It seems that more and more toys are being recalled the closer the holiday season comes upon us. Simply put, toys these days aren’t quite up to par in terms of safety. Warnings on the box should be unnecessary. Why are potentially intoxicating chemicals being sold for children to use?