Colin
WARNING FAKE NEWS
PEOPLE in Lanarkshire have been warned about an advent calendar that could potentially damage the reproduction system of children.
And councillors have urged locals not to let kids play with the fidget toys inside.
North Lanarkshire Council bosses issued an alert online.
Their Trading Standards officers are advising anyone who has bought the calendar to return it to the retailer immediately.
The local authority said that testing of the toys inside the advent calendar showed excessive amounts of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a chemical used during the manufacturing process to soften plastic.
This can harm the health of children, causing possible damage to their reproductive system.
Councillor Michael McPake, Convener of the Environment and Transportation Committee, reiterated the warning to locals.
And he praised the vigilance of the Trading Standards officers who spotted the potential danger.
He said: “The lack of manufacturer and importer details on this calendar raised concern with our Trading Standards team, and testing of the product highlighted significant safety concerns.
“Thanks to the vigilance of our officers, we are taking action to remove these calendars from sale and I would ask the public to share this information with anyone who might have bought one of these calendars.
“Our advice is don’t open them or let children play with the toys inside, and return the calendar to the retailer where you bought it.
“You are entitled to a full refund.”
The council says that all toys sold by retailers in the UK must be safe and importers must test the toys to make sure they meet safety requirements before selling them.
And they urged locals to check products are CE or UKCA marked AND have an address of the UK importer or manufacturer.
Meanwhile retailers who are selling or have sold Fidget Toy Advent Calendars can seek free confidential business advice from Trading Standards at tradingstandards@northlan.gov.uk
