Toy Safety
A short guide to the legal requirements of Toy Safety and best practice when buying or selling toys
Toy (Safety) Regulations 1995
What Trading Standards does for you:
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carry out inspections of toy sellers at all levels: manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers
- regularly test toys against the requirements of the Regulations and relevant Standards
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report suppliers of toys, which fail to comply, for prosecution.
The main checks are for:
What you should look for:
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make sure the toy or its packaging has a CE mark.
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if there is an age warning, stick to the recommendation. Do not buy “older” toys for young children.
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remember that young children may be especially vulnerable to choking on small parts and toys containing these should be avoided when buying for this group.
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there are various things you can check on the toy:
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sharp edges
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hidden spikes
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loose facial features, wheels, tyres and other small parts: These should be securely fixed to the toy
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secure seams: If the seams are loose and the stuffing accessible, a child could choke on it.
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any cord on a pull along toy should be at least 1.5 mm thick
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any holes or gaps into which children could put their fingers and suffer harm from the mechanical parts inside
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brittle plastic which could shatter into small sharp pieces
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folding mechanisms: How much damage would they do if a child’s finger were caught in them?
Remember to:
- show your child how to use a toy safely. Joining in can be fun
- check toys regularly and dispose of broken toys carefully
- encourage your child to be tidy. Toys left lying around can be a hazard for children, elderly people and others
- buy the right toy for the age of the child. If you have children of various ages then remember that a toy for an older child can be dangerous for younger children
- remove any plastic bag in which the toy is wrapped, and dispose of it safely
- watch out for staples in the packaging
- check the toy when you are in the shop before you buy it. Use the checklist above
- shop at reputable stores
Be safe with your Toys at Christmas
Christmas is a time especially for children and for children this means toys. Although toys are fun and educational they can be dangerous. Poorly designed and constructed toys, or toys that are inappropriate for your child’s level of development can cause serious injury, and in some cases, death.
Tips for toy safety:
□ Does the toy display the Lion Mark? This is a symbol of safety and quality backed by a Code of Practice.
□ Does the toy have a CE mark which means that toys carrying this mark are obliged to carry the manufacturers name and address.
□ Inspect the toy yourself and ensure it is well designed and soundly constructed.
□ Look out for loose filling in soft toys and loose hair on dolls.
□ Check for choking hazards. As a guide, if a toy or any of its parts can fit into a 35mm camera film canister, don’t buy it for a child under three years old.
□ Look for sharp points or edges on the toy as they can easily injure your child.
□ Toys that have a folding mechanism, such as chairs or toy prams, may contain pinch points that can crush small hands. Ensure there are adequate locking devices to prevent the toy collapsing.
□ Read labels to ensure toys such as paints, crayons or other toys containing liquids are non-toxic.
□ Care for toys. A damaged or dangerous toy should be repaired or thrown away immediately.
TEMPORARY CHRISTMAS TRADERS
In the lead up to Christmas, new outlets selling toys and Christmas decorations spring up in shopping centres everywhere. Many of these traders are new to the business of selling toys and are often only open a short time until Christmas, or until their stock sells out.
Some traders may be unaware of existing standards on toys and their goods are usually imported from overseas, where similar standards do not exist. In some cases, you may wish to return a broken toy after Christmas, only to find that the shop has moved location or closed down.
Trading Standards are aware of the problem with some imported toys and regularly patrol outlets selling these items. Any toys found to present a danger to children are banned from sale and/or recalled. Outlets that continue to sell banned goods or goods that have been recalled are breaking the law.
Contact TSU if you are given or see a toy, which is dangerous. We can seize dangerous toys, prohibit their sale and have the supplier prosecuted.
For advice or information please contact Trading Standards:
Phone: 0141 287 6681
E-mail: ts.enquiries@eps.glasgow.gov.uk