Nottinghamshire County Council warning of unsafe toys bought online ahead of 'Black Friday'

With the Covid pandemic and current Government restrictions affecting the whole country, many people will be relying on online shopping in the coming days and weeks.

Both Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council’s trading standards teams are urging consumers to be vigilant when buying toys on the internet to make sure they’re safe and suitable for children.

The authorities are backing the Don’t Toy With Children’s Safety campaign, which has been launched by The British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA).

The BTHA conducted a test on 100 toys sourced from online marketplaces Amazon, eBay and AliExpress, which found that 60 per cent had safety failures and 86 per cent were illegal to sell in the UK.

This is an increase on the previous year’s testing of online toys which reported 22 per cent as unsafe.

Among the breaches are toys with small parts that are a choking hazard to under-threes, as well as small button batteries which could be easily removed by young children and would cause serious complications if swallowed.

The BTHA’s campaign calls for a review of the current law to ensure that online marketplaces are accountable for the products bought through their sites. At present, these websites are not responsible for checking the safety of a toy in the same way that reputable toymakers, importers and shops based in the UK are.

Always bear in mind these safety tips when buying for children:

Look for the CE symbol – this means the manufacturer has assessed the toy for safety and you can find the symbol on the label or box.

Check the item is aimed at children – festive novelties can look like toys.

Reputation matters – check the suppliers who have a good reputation for safe and reliable toys.

Button-battery safety – Christmas toys may have button batteries, which can prove lethal if ingested, so check they are screwed in safely before giving to a child.

Check age restrictions – toys must be clearly marked with age restrictions, which assess risks such as choking hazards.

Always follow the age recommendations.

Consider special needs – remember that children with special needs might be more vulnerable, and make sure to shop accordingly.

Choking hazards – avoid toys with small parts or loose fabric.

Loose parts – ribbons on toys and costumes can be dangerous.

Inspect toy boxes – wear and tear can make a toy unsafe so check your children’s toys and get them repaired if necessary.

Supervise when you need to – some toys need an adult on hand during playtime so make sure you read all the instructions so you can keep things under control.

Tidy up – boxes and plastic bags and clear away all packaging once everything’s unwrapped as wire can be a hazard.

Coun John Handley, vice-chairman of the communities and place committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Christmas can be an expensive time for a lot of people, so it is all too tempting to grab a seemingly ‘great deal’ without thinking about the consequences.

“But imagine how heart-breaking Christmas morning would be if that present you’ve saved up for breaks – or even injures a loved one.

"If a price appears too good to be true, sadly it usually is.

“I would urge everyone to follow our simple advice to help protect themselves and their families against dodgy, dangerous or fake goods this Christmas. Sticking to the top tips and reputable traders will help ensure a safe and enjoyable time for everyone.

Anyone needing advice about something they’ve bought can contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 2231133.