Watchdog raids target deadly children’s toys ahead of Christmas

Authorities have seized hundreds of potentially deadly children’s toys in warehouse raids targeting importers of dodgy products ahead of Christmas.

NSW authorities have seized hundreds of potentially deadly children’s toys in warehouse raids targeting importers of dodgy products ahead of Christmas.

Fair Trading NSW conducted the raids as part of “Operation Safe Toy”, targeting and seizing any children’s toys that do not meet safety standards, 7 News reported.

The watchdog has warned parents and grandparents to be on the lookout for dangerous toys, which can often be difficult to spot, and exercise caution – particularly when purchasing online.

“These toys have little parts that can cause obstructions,” Fair Trading spokeswoman Karin Ellis told 7 News.

“Children can then die if they don’t receive immediate medical attention. A child can just flip open the battery compartment of a toy and swallow the little battery.”

Some of the unsafe toys seized by Fair Trading. Picture: 7 News

In a statement on Thursday, Fair Trading said it had received 388 complaints about unsafe toys since 2019. Of those, 72 per cent related to toys bought online.

“When shopping for Christmas toys and gifts online this year, purchasers need to take a minute to think about whether or not this toy could pose a hazard to their little ones,” said Better Regulation Minister Kevin Anderson.

“Each year we see a range of toys that are dangerous or inappropriate, from things that can shoot, choke, cut or burn, there are many toys out there that should not make their way into the hands of a child. The NSW government is working to ensure these toys never reach the market, and if they do, it is important that consumers are educated enough not to give them to kids where they could become lethal.”

On its website, Fair Trading describes one case of an unsafe toy causing serious injury.

“A nine-year-old boy swallowed magnets from his building set and had to undergo four hours of surgery to have the magnets removed after they caused perforation and twisting of his intestines, blockage of his bowel and internal bleeding,” it says.

“He was still having treatment four months later.”

More than 70 per cent of unsafe toys are bought online. Picture: 7 News

Some of the toys seized this year include:

• A penguin cigarette lighter

• Toy guns and other toys with choking hazard projectiles or easily removable small parts

• Sponge toys with extendable string pieces that are strangling hazards

• Magnet toys with choking hazard small magnet balls

• A “crown hat” decoration with flammable plastic leaves

• Battery operated toys with easily openable battery cavities, giving children easy access to choking hazard batteries

• A battery operated toy duck that lays choking hazard plastic eggs

• Small “pen” batteries that are a choking hazard

Batteries can be a choking hazard for young children. Picture: 7 News

Fair Trading says consumers who have inadvertently bought an unsafe toy are entitled to a refund and are able to report businesses for unsafe toys.

If they are unable to resolve the problem with the shop, they can lodge a complaint with Fair Trading.

Mr Anderson said NSW government inspectors routinely visit businesses to check product safety.

Under Australian Consumer Law, retailers caught selling unsafe toys can be fined up to $500,000, and corporations face fines of up to $10 million.

“Earlier this year we issued a fine after inspectors found choking hazards and flammable pyjamas at a toy shop in Cabramatta. We also seized and destroyed the dangerous stock,” Mr Anderson said.

“To everyone out there shopping for toys, have a very Merry Christmas but do take a minute to consider the toys you are buying and let’s keep our kids safe.”

The ‘Five S’ toy safety checklist:

1. Size – the smaller the child, the bigger the toy should be (anything smaller than a 20-cent piece or ping pong ball is too small for a child under three)

2. Shape – be wary of products that, because of their shape, may be easily swallowed or have sharp edges or points

3. Surface – make sure all finishes are non-toxic (this should be stated on packaging)

4. Strings – anything over 30cm is a strangulation hazard for a small child and should be removed

5. Supervision – nothing replaces close supervision