Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said Fair Trading investigators probed more than 560 stores around NSW and found 24 toys that were deemed unsafe for Santa to leave under the Christmas tree.
Danger of button batteries
A large number of new toys that have emerged in the market are battery operated. Small shiny coin-like lithium batteries, also known as button batteries, are often considered hazardous to young children.
In 2013, a four-year-old child in Queensland died after swallowing a lithium battery. Although it was the first case reported in Australia, a number of cases of serious injury have been reported in Australia since then.
“Button batteries when swallowed, can cause serious burns, bleeding and other major complications to the food pipe and other parts as it moves down inside the body,” says Dr Reeshma Pattan.“We will not be able to realise the fact that a child has swallowed it unless he/she informs us. This can prove very dangerous.”
Choking Hazards
The list of unsafe toys released by the NSW government as a result of the probe also included toys that contain tiny parts.“Children under the age of three are in the habit of putting things into their mouths. This is how they explore them,” Dr Pattan said.
“The small loosen parts connected to some toys can trigger danger to these children. It can choke them if unnoticed,” says Dr Pattan There have been various instances where kids have died after they swallowed tiny toy parts.A Product Safety recall was recently issued for a small reindeer plush toy which was given to children at shopping centres across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia because of the risk of choking on small parts.There were reports of the death of a three-year-old Tasmanian boy who choked on a bouncy ball days before his birthday. Dr Pattan advised that it is important to consult a doctor if an iota of doubt occurs about the swallowing of such batteries or such small toy parts.
Sharp objects
Toys with sharp, protruding or projectile parts can also harm children in many ways.“Toy Guns, bow and arrow and such toys that move faster and can hit the body parts of the children are very hazardous,” Dr Pattan warns“Such fast moving objects can cause serious injuries, especially to the eyes. This can even pose the danger of losing their eyesight."The news of a nine-year-old UK boy who lost his eye after a friend shot a Nerf gun foam pellet hit headlines this year.The same boy was hit in the same eye by a toy arrow six years ago.
According to Dr Pattan, parents should think twice before buying such toys for their children.Dr Pattan also warned that toys can pose fire hazards. Soft toys, when kept near lit candles, can ignite and burn.Swimming pool toys can also tend to attract children to the pools. It is always better to keep these toys an arms distance away from them to avoid drowning, advises Dr Pattan.
When buying toys
Warning signs and labelling on top of the toy packets needed to be checked and rechecked when you choose to buy toys as gifts to your children.The labels clearly state the age group for which the toy can be safely used. It also mentions the inclusion of small parts that can be hazardous. Hence it is important to read the labelling before purchasing a toy.Also, toys which are brought from small stores may not have proper labelling or instructions.
In such cases, it is better for the buyers to think of the potential dangers before purchasing, Dr Pattan said.
Precautions to consider
According to Dr Pattan, it is always better to supervise children when they open their gifts.This can help the parents to ensure what type of toys they are playing with and the dangers they can cause.
"As you know your child better, you can also make sure they are playing the right type of toys suitable for their age and development," Dr Pattan said."If you feel safety concerns with some toys, it is better to keep them off from kids. So always supervise your children when they open their gifts from Santa this Christmas."
