Look out when buying toys

Buying toys for children is a pleasure that carries with it at the same time a number of responsibilities. A new toy should not only bring joy and fun but, more importantly, should be safe. Safety is our first priority.

This priority is also endorsed by the EU which lays down specific rules for manufacturers. These rules are also designed to help parents buy only safe products. In fact, all toys and products for sale in the EU must meet strict safety requirements.

First and foremost, any toy placed on the EU market, including free giveaways, must carry a CE mark to show it conforms to safety requirements. Thus, whenever we shop around, we should look out for this mark, which should be attached to the product and on its packaging in a way that is visible and easily legible and cannot be rubbed off or erased.

The following are other safety rules that toy manufacturers need to adhere to:

• Toys should be made of materials that do not burn easily;

• Toys should be made of non-toxic materials;

• Folding toys or toys with hinges must be designed so they will not trap little fingers or cause injury;

• Toys should be strong and sturdy and should not break easily leading to injury;

• Any parts of a toy that can come loose should be too large for a child to swallow.

Although it is illegal to put unsafe toys on the market, these may still be found for sale. So it is important to shop with care. In addition to checking for the CE mark we should also have a look at the warnings on the toy.

For instance, a toy that contains small parts should be marked as "unsuitable for children under three years". Hence, before buying a toy, it is our responsibility to make sure it is suitable for the child who will play with it. We should pay attention to the 'minimum age' warnings.

Any possible danger should be pointed out on the packaging and these warnings should be carefully read and observed by the buyer. Where needed, there should also be instructions for use on the package.

We should also look out for the name and address or trademark of the manufacturer, its agents or importer within the EU, because these are the people responsible for the product if this proves to be unsafe. Extra care should be taken when we buy toys from a street market or a car boot sale.

Our consumer responsibilities do not stop when we purchase the toy. Before giving a new toy to our child, we need to go through some checking procedures.

First, we should check if there are any instructions inside the package. If there are, we should look out for warnings of any possible dangers.

It is also advisable to physically check out the toy ourselves. We know how our children behave with toys so use this knowledge to detect any possible dangers. This is also important when we give second-hand or old toys to our children.

For instance, we can check if there are sharp edges, nails or screws sticking out. We should also check whether the toy is broken or has missing parts, because this can make it very dangerous.

Sit-and-ride toys are to be checked for stability. If the toy uses batteries, we should check whether these are sealed so a child cannot open them.

With toys that make noise, we should check the volume and make sure it is not too loud.

Should we come across a toy that seems unsafe or we feel it does not meet safety standards, my advice is not to buy it.

However, if we happen to purchase a toy that we later think is dangerous, this should be reported to the Market Surveillance Directorate of the Malta Standards Authority.

This authority can be contacted by calling 2395 2000, and its postal address is: Evans Building, 2nd Floor, Merchants Street, Valletta, VLT 1179.

customer@timesofmalta.com

Ms Vella is senior information officer, Consumer and Competition Division.

odette.vella@gov.mt