Holiday-Presents Daily Product Safety Update -Edition number 7
Today: How do I know if a toy is safe?
Traditionally, the end of the year is a time of conviviality and togetherness. Giving presents is an undeniable part of this. But what should you pay attention to when it comes to the safety of these presents? There are still products available that are (partly) unsafe. Fortunately, this is just a fragment of the total offer.
We are here to keep you up to date on the latest developments in product safety. On the one hand, we pay attention to products that are being withdrawn from the market because of included hazardous parts. On the other hand, we provide information on details you should look out for when purchasing products that are still available.
Every day the latest news, alerts and mentionable facts.
Keep yourself informed with our Holiday-Presents Daily to make sure that the present you give is a present that's safe. Once every weekday we will provide a newsletter including the latest news on product safety and recalls, important alerts and mentionable facts that relate to the safety of products. Millions of products have been recalled this year. Here's a video from the US Consumer Reports on how to protect yourself and your family. Hopefully our newsletter will add to your and your children's safety.
How do I know if a toy is safe?
In our Holiday-Presents Daily, we also provide general information you should be aware of when buying (children's) gifts. There are several things to look for when shopping for toys that will tell you whether they have been safety checked or not. These include:
- Serial number This will identify the specific toy's make and model, what batch it came from and when it was made. Serial numbers make products easier to find and to recall them if they go wrong.
- CE or UKCA mark A CE mark (from the French for European conformity) shows that the product complies with the EU's Toy Safety Directive. Products made after 1 January 2021 will have a UKCA (UK conformity assessed) mark instead. But as EU and UK laws on toy safety have stayed the same after Brexit, both marks show that the necessary safety standards have been met.
- UK or EU address The toy's packaging or documents that come with it must have an address for the supplier in the UK or the EU. This is so that enforcement agencies can contact the supplier if something goes wrong and the product needs to be recalled.
Warnings
- Most toys pose risks to children if used without supervision.
- Any product with small parts carries a risk of choking for very small children and will have a warning on it saying it is not appropriate for under-threes.
- Specific products should also have particular warnings on them.
- Toys such as slides and climbing frames should have one saying 'for domestic use only' and specify whether the product should be used indoors or outdoors.
- Food products that have a toy included should state 'toy inside, adult supervision recommended'.
- Toys that are used in water should have a warning saying 'only to be used in water which the child is within its depth and supervision'.
Lion Mark (in the UK)
The Lion Mark will appear on any product that conforms to the British Toy and Hobby Association's code of practice, which also shows that it complies with UK standards. Not all manufacturers will be signed up to the BTHA, but if you want to be sure a product is properly regulated, choosing one that is gives you the best guarantee.
These is just an example of product safety information about toys and their hazards that you need to be aware of. With our Holiday-Presents Daily we will continue to follow the news on Product Safety and we will continue to keep you informed.
Source: Lara Keay news.sky.com