Christmas toys seized by trading standards over fears packaging could SUFFOCATE children
Toys imported from China pose a suffocation risk to China, Surrey Trading Standards say
OVER 200 playsets from China have been seized from a Surrey-based storage site by Surrey’s Trading Standards unit over fears the wrapping on them could suffocate a child.
The Chinese toys, which included mini kitchen units, projector sets and design tables in individual travel cases, were wrapped in flimsy plastic packaging.
By law, plastic used to wrap toys in the UK has to be a certain thickness to minimise the risk of it clinging to a child’s nose and mouth and stopping their breathing.
The plastic wrapping used on the seized China-imported toys were around half the required thickness, Surrey’s Trading Standards team said.
Richard Walsh, Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for localities and community wellbeing, said: “Not only must toy manufacturers make sure that the products they’re supplying are safe, they must also pay attention to the packaging the use because it may get played with as well.
“The regulations around toys and packaging are designed to protect children and our vigilant trading standards officers will take steps including carrying out tests on products whenever they have concerns.
“With the Christmas shopping rush hotting up, we would urge anyone who has concerns about a product they’ve seen for sale or have already bought to come forward.”
Officers from Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards are now liaising with their counterparts in Manchester, as the importer of the products is based in the Manchester area.
Toys are a staple of any child’s Christmas, but taking the time to check whether what you’re buying is the genuine article and safe to use could prove life-saving.
Last month, a batch of ‘poisonous’ dolls were recalled after being discovered on sale in the UK.
The ‘Baby Genuoa’ toys were found to contain high levels of a dangerous chemical called phtalate.
They were on sale at a store in Warrington, Cheshire, and have already been permanently removed.
What to do if you think a toy is unsafe
If you’re concerned about whether a toy you’ve purchased poses a risk, call Citizens Advice on 03454 04 05 06 and tell them you want to report an issue to Trading Standards.
The person at Citizens Advice who takes your call will assess the concerns you’ve raised and ,if necessary, pass them onto Trading Standards.
The adviser at Citizens Advice will need to know all the key details of the problem, and if you’ve got it, the name and address of the company where you got the goods from.
If Trading Standards decide to take on your matter, they may contact you for further information.
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