Officers Confiscate Hundreds of Unsafe Toys

Nearly 1,400 hazardous toys were confiscated in Lincolnshire following inspections conducted by Trading Standards officers. Approximately 1,000 counterfeit products, including imitation designer clothing and branded audio devices, were also removed from sale. Officers, who performed 60 inspections for the toy safety initiative, reported that numerous items were discovered in coastal towns. However, they cautioned that unsafe toys could be found throughout Lincolnshire, not only in retail stores and markets but also online. Emma Milligan, from Lincolnshire Trading Standards, stated that some of the seized toys lacked manufacturing information. “That means that they probably haven’t been safety tested; the fabrics or the material used could be toxic,” she said. While some soft toys displayed a CE mark, indicating compliance with EU standards, Ms. Milligan noted that these labels were fraudulent, posing difficulties for consumers. “Look for the information about where the item was produced – there should be an address there,” she said. “A toy for a small child should say if it is age appropriate. Some of the toys didn’t have that information.” “People should also think about the price. If the price is too good, it should really be creating a warning sign in your head.” The Child Accident Prevention Trust has released a list of toys to be mindful of this Christmas. The list also highlights the dangers of round button batteries, which are commonly incorporated into toys and gadgets. Two-year-old Harper-Lee Fanthorpe died in May 2021 after swallowing a button battery. An inquest concluded that her death was caused by acid from the item burning into an artery. Harper’s mother, Stacy Nicklin, from Stoke, is collaborating with the Child Accident Prevention Trust to raise awareness. Ms. Nicklin said: “At this time of the year, it’s hard. Christmas decorations have got button batteries in them. They’re everywhere I go.“ “It’s coming up to four years since Harper passed away. I’ve got PTSD from what I had to see before she went into theatre.“ “I campaign because I don’t want any other families going through what I’ve had to go through.“ “I know first-hand what they can do, and the damage they can cause to not only a child. They are a risk to the elderly, people with learning disabilities and animals.”