Hong Kong Customs today (April 23) alerted members of the public to the potential hazards posed by a type of toy xylophone. They are advised not to let children play with these toys to ensure their safety. Test results indicated that the wooden stick could pose a choking risk to children.
Customs officers earlier conducted a test-buy operation and purchased the toy from a retailer for safety testing by the Government Laboratory. Results revealed that the diameter and length of the toy's wooden stick handle failed to meet the requirements as specified in related toy standards, and children could easily put them into their mouth, posing a risk of choking.
Customs officers today seized a total of 255 subject toy xylophones from the supplier. Investigation is ongoing.
Under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to manufacture, import or supply unsafe toys or children's products. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 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.
Members of the public may report information relating to suspected unsafe toys or children's products via the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182, or crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Monday, April 23, 2018
