Toys have caused injury, even death, for years. Why are we freaking out now?

Lead paint...magnets...poisonous chemicals—it seems we have to worry about possible danger in practically all of our kids' toys. But playthings causing bodily harm is old news. Remember the old Easy Bake Oven? It was every girl's dream to be burned receive that toy. The singed skin on our hands was worth it just to pull out that half- baked cake. It was heaven.

According to the Wall Street Journal, hazardous toys have been pulled off the shelves since the '60s when the Zulu gun was sending kids to the ER. In 1974, when the Consumer Products Safety Commission was newly established, more than 1500 toys were banned, including a highly flammable Smokey the Bear tent (ironic, no?) and the ever popular Betsy Wetsy, who was held together with a pin. Seriously people, a pin!

There will always be risks when we allow a small child to play with a toy meant for older kids or when we don't keep an eye on our little cherubs—never mind the tripping, falling, and accidental injuries that happen because children still to this day continue to play like children.

Check out the classic toys that (in retrospect) really weren't such smart choices in our "Rate It" photo gallery.

Click on an image to view the
Toys Through the Years Gallery!