Fine Gael Senator, Colm Burke, today (Wednesday) welcomed the launch of the European Toy Safety Campaign which coincides with the Christmas rush to buy toys, saying it will help inform parents and make it a safer Christmas for all.
“The European Commission Vice President, Antonio Tajani, has launched a European Toy Safety Campaign, designed to illustrate how to identify the safest toys and how best to use toys safely.
“The European toy industry comprises over 25% of the total world market and with over 90 million children under the age of 14 in the EU, it is highly appropriate that such a campaign has been launched in the run up to Christmas.
“Toy shops in EU Member States including Ireland, will be giving customers toy safety postcards for consumers, outlining top tips for parents when buying toys. These include • always buying toys that have the CE marking; • avoiding toys with small detachable parts for children under the age of three due to a high risk of choking; • always purchasing toys from reputable shops and • always reporting a safety problem with a toy directly to the manufacturer as this will prevent future accidents and the company will have an opportunity to recall the product.
“Children aged between the age of 0 and 4 years account for 40% of all injuries from hazardous toys annually in the EU, with two of the most dangerous risks associated with toys being choking and high levels of banned chemical substances such as phthalates which can be found in toys.
“Every effort must be made to ensure the safety and full enjoyment of toys for children. The European Toys Directive which was enacted into Irish law in July this year seeks to do just that. The European Toy Safety campaign will further reinforce this and will go a considerable way to making it a safer Christmas for European children.”