Hong Kong Customs today (September 10) reminded members of the public to stay alert to an unsafe light clay toy. Test results indicated that the plastic sheets wrapping the toy could pose a suffocation risk to children. To avoid an accident, parents should immediately stop letting their children from playing with the light clay toys. Traders should also remove the light clay toys from their shelves.
Customs officers earlier test-purchased various models of clay toys from retailers in different districts for safety testing. Test results revealed that the thickness of the plastic sheets of one model of light clay toy was less than 0.038 millimetres and children could suffocate if they covered their faces with the plastic sheets.
Customs later conducted an operation and seized a total of 184 suspected unsafe light clay toys of the same model from the related retailer and wholesaler. Prohibition notices were served at the same time to stop their continued sale and supply of the unsafe light clay toy.
The investigation is ongoing.
Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing and playing with toys:
- Beware of whether the toys contain any small parts. Small parts may block a child's throat and lead to suffocation if swallowed;
- Check the structure of the toys to see, for example, whether they have a fragile structure, hidden sharp points, rough surfaces, sharp edges or gaps that may pinch children's fingers;
- Do not let children play with toys alone;
- Pay attention to age recommendations shown on labels;
- Pay attention to and follow the instructions associated with the toys;
- Throw away plastic packaging materials of toys to avoid children being suffocated; and
- Stop children from playing with the toys immediately if any damage is observed.
Customs is committed to the protection of consumer interests and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on toys and children's products to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.
Under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import unsafe toys or children's products. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on a subsequent conviction.
Members of the public may report information relating to suspected unsafe toys or children's products via Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
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