The dangers of Christmas present bargains on Amazon: from chemical burns and poisonous teddies to serious choking risks
TOYS bought for your little ones online may actually put their lives at risk this Christmas, experts have warned.
Researchers at The British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA) have urged parents to be extra vigilant when purchasing presents from online marketplaces.
That’s because sites like Amazon and AliExpress allow third-party sellers to list toys without carrying out any safety checks on them.
And while these cheaper options may feel like a good idea, they're often not.
A damning study last year found that 90% of toys bought from third-party sellers via online marketplaces were unsafe.
“BTHA has purchased toys available on four well-known online marketplaces since 2018,” Head of Public Affairs Kerri Atherton tells Fabulous.
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“We have found that nearly half of the toys we purchased from third-party sellers across these marketplaces failed toy safety testing and were dangerous for children to play with.”
The types of injuries that can be caused by unsafe toys include chemical poisoning from button batteries, choking and strangulation, burns and even injuries that need surgical intervention.
Button batteries
Button batteries look like small silver coins and are getting increasingly common in children’s toys. But due to their size, they are easily swallowed by a child.
Swallowing a button battery will cause burning and damage to the esophagus which may require surgery. If not treated by medical professionals quickly, they can kill your child.
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A “light-up handbag” sold on AliExpress was deemed unsafe by researchers as the button batteries could easily be accessed by a little one.
Similarly, button batteries in a “fairy lantern” sold on Amazon were deemed to be unsafely accessible for children by BTHA researchers.
There have been several recent child fatalities in the UK as a result of button or coin battery ingestion, including 17-month-old Hugh McMahon on Christmas Eve 2021.
According to the Child Accident Prevention Trust, at least two children a year die as a result of swallowing lithium batteries in the UK.
If you think your little one has ingested a button battery, you need to take them to A&E immediately.
The NHS urges parents to look out for a child vomiting blood, drooling, indicating pain in their throat or chest and having difficulty swallowing as signs of button battery ingestion.
HOW TO ENSURE TOYS ARE SAFE
Kerri Atherton, Head of Public Affairs at BTHA, shared her key advice for parents this Christmas
- RESEARCH Don’t assume that any safety checks have been carried out by third-party sellers on marketplaces. Before purchasing, research the brand or company that makes the toy or character you want - and include that name when you search the online marketplace. Look for sellers you recognise.
- ADDRESS Once you receive the toy, check that it has a UK company address, and either a CE or UKCA mark.
- PACKAGING Assess whether the packaging of a toy looks genuine. Be careful, as compliance marks can be fake.
- WATCH When your child opens a toy, stay with them and check for any immediate faults, detachable small parts or access to stuffing. Be particularly wary of any loose or accessible batteries or magnets.
Small parts
It’s no secret that small parts on children’s toys can cause choking - but third-party sellers on marketplaces aren’t required to declare this.
That means you may have purchased certain toys for your little one this Christmas that’ll put their lives at risk.
BTHA found that a bag of plush mini-teddies being flogged on AliExpress had small parts that could come loose and cause choking.
The same plushies also had 152 times the legal limit of a restricted toxic chemical which can cause adverse health and reproductive effects.
“Unlike traditional retail, there is no legal requirement for online marketplaces to check the safety of the products that other third-party sellers are listing on their site,” Kerri explained.
“Instead, it is left to the individual sellers who are often based overseas outside the jurisdiction of UK enforcement with no incentive to meet UK requirements.
“We have been calling on the government to legislate to stop unsafe toys entering the UK market that are putting children at risk of serious harm.”
Strangulation risks
Anything with long threads, wires or cords could pose a risk to your little one’s life.
BTHA found a “wooden ribbon ring toy” being advertised as a toy for babies on Amazon.
But the 45cm ribbons hanging from the wooden rings could easily wrap around a baby’s neck and strangle them.
Similarly, “luminous star pillows” flogged on AliExpress contained long wires inside which were easily accessible through a zip.
These risks are also present in children bags that haven’t gone through rigorous testing to ensure their safety.
How to be safe this Christmas
Kerri urged parents to do thorough research on a toy before purchasing and not assume that any safety checks have been carried out.
Toys must meet strict safety requirements and responsible toy companies put their toys through rigorous testing to ensure they can be safely enjoyed by children.
“We would advise spending time researching beforehand by searching the brand or company that makes the toy or character you want and including that name when you search the online marketplace,” she says.
“Look for sellers you recognise and investigate if they have a good track record of selling toys.
“Once you receive the toy, you should check it has a UK company address, and either a CE or UKCA mark, and assess whether the packaging looks genuine.”
Kerri advised parents to still be on guard once they give any toys to their little ones.
“When your child opens a toy, stay with them and check for any immediate faults, detachable small parts, or access to stuffing, and in particular be wary of any loose or accessible batteries or magnets,” she says.
An Amazon spokesperson said: “Safety is a top priority at Amazon and we want customers to shop with confidence on our stores.
“We require all products offered in our store to comply with applicable laws and regulations.
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“If customers have concerns about an item they’ve purchased, we encourage them to contact our Customer Service team so we can resolve the issue for them.”
AliExpress has been approached for comment.