The Customs and Excise Department today (April 9) alerted parents to watch out for potential hazards posed by a type of crossbow gun toy which was found to be unsafe.
Customs officers recently conducted spot checks in different districts on retailers supplying projectile toys. A number of projectile toys were sent to the Government Laboratory for safety tests and a type of crossbow gun toy failed the tests.
Safety tests revealed that the arrow tip detached from the arrow body under a pulling force test. The detached arrow tip poses a choking hazard if swallowed by children. Furthermore, the arrow body without the arrow tip can be launched from the provided crossbow gun. It could cause injuries to children nearby.
A Customs spokesman said, "Follow-up actions were conducted against a supplier cum importer, a wholesaler and four retailers. A total of 50 sets of the toy have been seized from the supplier cum importer and one of the retailers. The department has also served prohibition notices under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance to them, prohibiting the supply of the toys concerned. Investigation is continuing. Prosecution actions will be taken against the companies concerned for offences under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance should there be sufficient evidence."
Under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import unsafe toys into Hong Kong.
The maximum penalty for the offence is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and $500,000 and two years' imprisonment on subsequent conviction.
Customs conducts spot checks on the toys and children's products and sends samples for safety tests to ensure their compliance with the safety requirements of the prescribed standards under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance to protect consumers' interests.
To report unsafe toys and children's products, please call the 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/Friday, April 9, 2010
