#14: Jarts
Jarts, short for “lawn darts,” was a once-popular outdoor game introduced in the 1960s. Players would throw large, pointed darts towards a target on the ground, aiming for a ringer. As much as children used to love the toy, its discontinuation in the 1980s was due to safety concerns. The sharp metal tips of the darts posed a significant hazard, leading to numerous injuries, particularly among children.
When a falling dart struck players, tragic cases of eye injuries and even fatalities occurred. These alarming incidents prompted the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to ban the sale of lawn darts in 1988. The ban marked a significant shift towards more stringent safety regulations in the toy industry and served as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing consumer safety over recreational enjoyment.