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News

Keep Vigilant after Christmas - Check those Toys

The Borough of Poole’s Consumer Protection Services is reminding consumers to check their children’s toys are safe.

Officers working throughout Christmas found the majority of toys on sale were safe and complied with EC standards.

In the run up to Christmas, shoppers were given advice on buying safe toys with a special display based at the Dolphin Centre. Everyone seeking advice was given the chance to enter a competition, sponsored by Beales, to win one of 6 sewing kits to make a soft toy. Shoppers were asked to identify the safety mark required by law on toys or toy packaging and the kind of safety checks which are carried out to ensure that toys are safe.

The display reminded parents to check all toys carried the "CE safety mark", had adequate instructions and gave examples of some of the problems found.

Vicky Gunther, Consumer Protection Officer, said "We had a tremendous response to the competition and a great deal of interest from parents and everyone buying toys as gifts. It is always important to check toys before giving them to children to make sure they are suitable for the age of the child. Parents also need to keep an eye on old toys which may become dangerous if they are worn or broken".

The six competition prize winners were:

Name of Winner - Prize from Beales
Miss Anja Dombrowski, a student studying in PooleMrs Jean Gilby, from PooleMrs Farah Muneam, from PooleMrs Hilton, from PooleMr and Mrs C Callaway of Havant (on honeymoon)Mrs Jean Craig, from Poole Bertie Bear KitCharlie Chick KitRebecca Rabbit KitPolar Bear KitDolphin KitGiraffe Kit

Peter Pawlowski, Head of Consumer Protection Services, said: "All toys sold in the UK must meet stringent safety standards and be appropriately marked. Whilst we continually check to ensure goods are safe all year round, special emphasis is given over Christmas when people are busy buying gifts. On the whole we were very pleased that the majority of the toys tested met general safety standards".

Councillor Graham Curtis praised the work of Consumer Protection on issues of safety: "Officers check the quality and safety of goods throughout the year, largely unseen by the public. Nearly everyone has an interest in children, whether a parent, grandparent, uncle or aunt. It is very important to ensure that toys bought for children are safe".

If you would like an informative leaflet on buying safe toys contact your local Consumer Protection or Trading Standards Service on:

Poole, tel: 01202 261700
Dorset, tel: 01305 224012
Bournemouth, tel: 01202 451551

-ends-

For more information contact:Vicky Gunther, Consumer Protection Officer, Borough of Poole,tel: (01202) 261738