Festive plea over toy safety

Toys are involved in 40,000 accidents every year

By BBC News Online Scotland's Brian Ponsonby

The last thing anyone wants for Christmas is a tragedy that could have been avoided.

Unfortunately safety experts say that is what some people will end up dealing with simply because they were not aware of the dangers associated with toys.

It may seem incredible but about 40,000 accidents in the UK every year result from toys.

This chilling statistic has prompted safety groups and trading standards officials to make renewed pleas for parents to exercise greater care over the festive period.

Rospa's toy safety tips

Buy toys only from recognised outlets

Check the toy's age range

Take more care with kids under three

Watch young kids with older children's toys

Check for loose hair, small parts, sharp edges and points

Check swings and slides for strangulation hazards

Check toys for wear

Keep the play area tidy

Several years ago a European directive was incorporated into British law governing toy safety.

The directive covers essential safety requirements on design, construction and composition. It also covers particular risks such as flammability, chemical properties and hygiene.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa) believes that toy safety is only part of the problem.

Its records show that many accidents involving toys occur when people trip over them and when babies play with toys intended for older children.

The society's Elizabeth Lumsden said people should shop with care as unsafe toys can still be found on sale.

She said: "Look for the mandatory European Community (CE) symbol. This is a claim by the manufacturer that the toy meets the requirements of the EC Toy Safety Directive.

"Products without the CE mark may not be intended to be used as toys but are novelties which may not be safe for children to play with.

High standards

"Look also for the voluntary British Toy and Hobby Association's (BTHA) 'Lion Mark'.

"A condition of BTHA membership is that members' toys will meet the statutory safety requirements."

Ms Lumsden urged parents to buy toys from suppliers with a good reputation for safety and reliability and said that many will be members of trade associations which require high standards.

It should also be remembered there will be significant differences in the abilities of those in the same age group and those children with special needs

Elizabeth Lumsden, Rospa

She added: "If buying toys from a jumble sale or car boot sale, extra care needs to be taken.

"Make sure the toys are suitable. Some children, particularly those under three, are more vulnerable, particularly to choking, and less able to cope with particular toys than older children.

"It should also be remembered there will be significant differences in the abilities of those in the same age group and those children with special needs."

Rospa believes that by following a few simple guidelines much of the heartache caused by toy related accidents could be avoided.

The stringent toy legislation in place is enforced throughout the UK by trading standards officials.

Defective toys

BBC News Online Scotland asked one of Scotland's largest trading standards departments what action could be taken if defective toys were found to be on sale.

North Lanarkshire Council's trading standards officer, George Currie, said: "Obviously if a child is hurt then medical attention is a priority.

"In the second instance parents should contact trading standards and they can investigate.

George Currie: "Be sensible"

"It may be that the incident was a one-off but in certain cases problems can arise with a whole batch of toys.

"We have the power to put a suspension notice on toys which are found to be defective and this stops them being supplied within the UK.

"In more extreme cases we could even perhaps prosecute the manufacturer."

Mr Currie said that the need for such action was limited and urged parents to exercise care when purchasing toys over the festive period.

He added: "The main thing with toy safety is to adopt a proactive approach.

"Be sensible about what you buy because you are effectively trusting your child's safety to other people's judgement."