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The Customs and Excise Department has tested the safety of toy lanterns to protect consumer interests, as the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival is around the corner.
Customs officers conducted 132 spot checks on retailers supplying battery-operated toy lanterns and light sticks. Twelve models of battery-operated toy lanterns and one model of a light stick were sent to the Government Laboratory for safety tests.
Of these models, 10 toy lanterns and the light stick passed the tests. Two toy lanterns were found to have problems.
Of the problematic lanterns, one had accessible sharp points at the end of its metal wires, posing a danger to children. It also did not carry the required instructions on safe battery usage, such as "Do not mix old and new batteries" and "Do not mix alkaline, standard (carbon-zinc), or rechargeable (nickel-cadmium) batteries". Moreover, the correct battery polarity and voltage were not marked on the battery compartment while the name and address of the local manufacturer, importer or supplier were not shown.
The other unsafe toy lantern was found to have accessible slits next to the movable segments at the bottom of the lantern. There was a danger of trapping the fingers of children.
These two unsafe lanterns were contained in elasticated plastic bags that were less than 0.03810 mm thick, posing a suffocation hazard to children.
Hong Kong Customs has served the two concerned retailers with Prohibition Notices, prohibiting them from supplying the toys concerned.
Of the 13 tested samples, seven had sound-producing features. The Government Laboratory confirmed that these lanterns complied with the requirement of the peak emission sound pressure level prescribed by the European Standard.
The Chief Trade Controls Officer, Mr Ng Hing-tong, today (September 9) reminded parents to watch out for potential hazards in battery-operated lanterns and light sticks when selecting toys for their children.
Tips to guard against potential risks are as follows:
-Do not let children aged below three play with battery-operated toy lanterns and light sticks alone without close supervision;
-Follow instructions on usage and pay attention to the warning labels;
-Dispose of the packaging (plastic bag) right away after purchase as the plastic bag may pose a suffocating hazard to children;
-Make sure batteries in toys are properly installed and are not accessible to children. It is dangerous to mix old batteries with new ones, alkaline with carbon-zinc batteries, or rechargeable with non-rechargeable ones;
-Do not let children put the musical toy lanterns close to their ears;
-Cover the sound-producing device with adhesive tape to reduce the volume where appropriate;
-Do not bend the light sticks, and dispose of them immediately once they cease lighting; and
-If a user accidentally comes into contact with the chemical inside the light stick, he should rinse with a large amount of water and seek medical advice at once.
In 2007, the department conducted 130 spot checks on various retailers which supplied battery-operated toy lanterns and light sticks, and served eight suppliers with written warnings under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance for supplying unsafe lanterns.
Under the ordinance, it is an offence to manufacture, import or supply a toy unless the toy complies with the prescribed safety standards.
The ordinance carries a maximum penalty of 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 subsequent conviction.
To report unsafe toys and other children's products, consumers may call Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or write to the Consumer Protection Bureau, Customs and Excise Department, at 11/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point.
Ends/Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:01
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