#12: 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.

There were tragic cases of eye injuries and even fatalities when players were struck by a falling dart. 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.