Milton Keynes City Council aims to raise awareness of dangers of unsafe toys

The council’s Trading Standards team have held 20 educational talks in libraries and family centres around the city, and created a short video explaining the dangers unsafe toys can pose.

Research from the British Toy and Hobby Association has found high levels of illegal and unsafe toys being sold by third-party sellers operating through online marketplaces.

The association’s latest checks found 85 per cent of toys purchased were not compliant with UK toy safety requirements, putting children at risk of serious harm or injury.

Common risks identified were around magnets, batteries and other small parts that children could swallow, as well as cords and materials that could strangle a child.

Advice from the council’s trading standards team includes buying from trusted retailers, taking extra care if you are buying from an online marketplace, checking toys have a UK address on their packaging and checking purchased toys do not have loose or broken parts or sharp edges.

Mick Legg, the cabinet member responsible for trading standards at Milton Keynes City Council said: “Toy safety should never be taken for granted.

“With support from the British Toy and Hobby Association, we’ve been helping local families better understand the risks of unsafe toys so they can make informed decisions, especially when shopping online.

“The scale of unsafe toys being bought into the UK is shocking and it’s not worth taking a risk with children’s safety.”

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