January 2, 2026 – A recent incident report details a concerning safety issue involving Lego DUPLO train sets 10428 and 10427, where children’s hair became entangled in the trains while playing on the tracks. This incident highlights a potential entanglement hazard, prompting a review by the manufacturer.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On December 10, 2025, an incident was reported involving Lego DUPLO train sets 10428 and 10427. According to the report, children were laying on the tracks when the DUPLO trains became entangled in their hair. The report describes the event as “chaos,” indicating distress and difficulty in resolving the situation. The precise mechanism of how the hair became entangled (e.g., in wheels, axles, or other moving parts) was not specified, but the outcome was that the trains were “stuck in their hair.” This type of incident poses an immediate concern for young children, who are the primary users of DUPLO products.
Safety Concerns
This incident points to a significant entanglement hazard, particularly concerning for toys designed for young children.
- Immediate Dangers: The primary immediate danger is hair pulling, which can cause significant pain, discomfort, and distress to a child. Depending on the severity of the entanglement, it could lead to minor scalp abrasions, redness, or even more serious hair damage such as breakage or avulsion (hair being pulled from the scalp). The unexpected nature of such an event can also cause fear and anxiety in young children.
- Long-Term Risks: Repeated or severe hair pulling could potentially lead to localized hair loss or damage to hair follicles over time. Beyond physical harm, children might develop an aversion or fear of playing with the toy or similar toys, impacting their play experience and emotional well-being.
- Who Might Be Affected: Young children, especially those with longer hair, are most susceptible. The incident report specifically mentions children “laying on tracks,” suggesting that certain play positions might increase the risk of hair coming into contact with moving parts. Lack of direct supervision during play can also contribute to the severity and duration of such incidents.
- Property Damage Potential: While the primary concern is personal injury, there could be incidental damage to the toy itself if excessive force is required to free entangled hair.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers who own Lego DUPLO train sets 10428 and 10427 should take proactive steps to ensure safe play.
- Immediate Steps to Take: If hair entanglement occurs, carefully and gently try to untangle the hair. Avoid pulling forcefully, as this can cause more pain and damage. If the hair is severely stuck, consider seeking professional help (e.g., from a hairdresser or medical professional) to minimize damage. Always prioritize the child’s comfort and safety.
- How to Check if They Own the Affected Product: Check the product packaging or the DUPLO bricks themselves for the model numbers 10428 and 10427. These numbers typically identify the specific train sets.
- Prevention Measures:
* Supervision: Always supervise young children while they are playing with train sets, especially those with moving parts.
* Hair Management: For children with long hair, ensure their hair is tied back, braided, or otherwise secured away from potential entanglement points when playing with toys that have moving parts, wheels, or tracks.
* Safe Play Positions: Educate children on safe play positions, encouraging them to avoid lying down or placing their heads too close to the tracks or moving trains.
* Regular Inspection: Periodically inspect toys for any wear and tear that might create new entanglement hazards.
- Reporting Procedures: If you experience a similar incident or discover any other potential safety hazards with this or any other product, report it immediately to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov. You should also contact the manufacturer directly.
Manufacturer’s Response
On December 23, 2025, LEGO SYSTEMS, INC. provided the following response:
“Thank you for reporting this incident related to LEGO® products. Children’s safe and enjoyable use of our products is of the utmost importance to us, and as a responsible toy manufacturer, we make every effort to ensure this. Your report will be fully reviewed by LEGO Quality staff. If we can provide further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact LEGO Customer Service directly at 800-835-4386, and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you. You may also reach us from the “Customer Service” link on the home page at www.LEGO.com.”
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.