parents told to beware of counterfeit toys for kids

PARENTS have been warned to watch out for dodgy toys while Christmas shopping.

Items with dangerous detachable parts can pose major choking hazards especially for young children and toddlers.

Parents have been urged to buy age-appropriate toys for their children this holiday season.

Consumers’ Association Ireland spokesperson Dermott Jewell said: “Over the years everybody has become aware of the fact that if toys don’t have an age recommendation on it, they’re not going to sell.

“But at Christmas time in that move to just buy quickly in a short available period of time, too often that’s overlooked.

“A child who knows no better than to look at something that’s wonderfully colourful only to realise it’s not something you should have in the house or near their mouth or near their skin.”

CHALLENGES

Relatives buying Christmas presents for kids have been urged to “ask the parents first”.

Mr Jewell said: “Distant relatives don’t understand or realise some of the challenges for parents.

“One of the best recommendations you can make to anybody is to say if you’re going to buy something for the children, ask the parents first.”

And counterfeits and knock-off Christmas toys can pose a huge risk for health and safety over the holiday season.

One of the best ways to check if a toy is safe is to look for a CE mark which means the product is in conformity with the European standards of safety.

Mr Jewell said: “The EU has done as much as they could to engage with, for example, one of the biggest manufacturers which would be China, both in toys and other products.

“But that’s not going to stop counterfeiters who would be very active online from putting up very mediocre or unsafe products.”