As Christmas approaches, Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service has begun checking the safety of toys available to buy online and in High St. shops.Toys are analysed to ensure th...
As Christmas approaches, Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service has begun checking the safety of toys available to buy online and in High St. shops.
Toys are analysed to ensure they don’t contain any harmful chemicals such as Phthalates (a banned plastic softener) and toxic heavy metals including lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury.
Trading Standards Officers also carry out visual inspections, looking for sharp edges or loose pile fabric/hair and small detachable parts that could choke a young child. Finally, toys are checked to ensure they carry the correct warnings and instructions.
Warwickshire Trading Standards are responsible for enforcing product safety laws and carry out regular market surveillance exercises.
Scott Tompkins, Assistant Director for Environment Services said:
“No one wants to give a dangerous toy to a child, so I’m delighted that Warwickshire Trading Standards is taking this action to help protect Warwickshire’s children.”
“If you come across a dangerous toy, stop using it and report it to Trading Standards on 03454 040506”
Trading Standards officers are also advising consumers to do their own ‘check before you wrap’ inspections:
More information about trading standards is available online: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards