Safety watchdog releases nightmare photos of toys being destroyed as a warning to parents.
The toys were seized and destroyed by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) as they did not meet Irish and EU safety standards.
According to thejournal.ie, around 6,000kg of the items seized included soft toys, teddy bears, toy guns, and inflatable toys with small parts and battery-operated toy dogs.
The toys were deemed to be unsafe for use over risks of potential choke hazards and chemical issues.
Warning to parents
The CCPC is now releasing the images as a warning and is advising people buying gifts for kids this Christmas to ensure the products have the CE mark which indicates the product is in line with regulations.
In particular, the issue of safety standards can become a problem when people are ordering toys from abroad online – where criteria for safety standards might not match those we have here in Ireland and the EU in general.
The consumer body has outlined a number of things for people to look out for when buying toys this festive season.
Things to keep in mind when ordering toys online:
Check for the CE mark on children’s toys before buying them, as this designates that the manufacturer is compliant with safety standards. This should appear on the product, in the instruction manual or on the packaging and be easy to read.
Buy from reputable retailers and if buying online, it is important to research the company you are buying from.
Check for smaller parts in the item before giving them to kids.
Check age guidance instructions on all children’s toys and check for sharp edges, long cords or cables.
