Ten Tips for Buying Your Toys
Unsafe toys can cause injuries and can even kill. Examples of problems that can make toys unsafe are:
- unnecessary sharp points that could cause injury
- small parts which could cause a child to choke
- paint on a toy which may have excessive levels of lead
- exposed live electric parts that would cause electric shock to the user.
Although toys are involved in over 40,000 accidents each year, their safety is only part of the problem. Many accidents involving toys occur when people trip over them and when babies play with toys intended for older children.
All goods on sale to the public must be SAFE for their intended use. The responsibility to supply safe consumer goods applies all the way down from the manufacturer to the retailer.
This means, that products being sold should comply with any relevant legislation or recognised safety standard.
When purchasing toys follow these ten tips:
- Only purchase goods from a reputable supplier/shop
- Examine goods to ensure they carry safety symbols or signs, eg. CE Mark (this should be found on all toys, electrical products and gas appliances), BEAB Approval (British Electro Technical Approvals Board), Kitemark, Cigarette/match resistant label on furniture.
- Read all warnings carefully and follow any operating instructions
- Keep receipts as proof of purchase
- Only use goods or equipment for the purpose for which they are intended e.g.they are suitable for the childs age
- Don’t let young children play with older childrens toys
- Check toys for loose hair and small parts, sharp edges and points
- Dispose of any toy that is in poor repair
- Keep play areas tidy
- Supervise young children at play
For further information contact the Council’s Environmental Health Unit by telephoning 028 9244 7300 or email: ehealth@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk