Hong Kong Customs today (August 7) alerted members of the public to the potential hazards posed by a type of toy drawing board. They are advised not to let children play with this toy to ensure their safety. Test results indicated that the magnetic component parts of the toy drawing board could pose a potential risk of intestinal blockage to children.
Customs officers earlier conducted a test-buy operation and purchased the toy from a retailer for safety testing by the Government Laboratory. The results revealed that the magnetic strength of the toy's small magnetic component parts exceeded the upper limit as specified in related toy safety standards and the parts would pose a potential risk of intestinal blockage if swallowed by children.
Customs officers today seized a total of 175 sets of the toy drawing board from the retailer and the wholesaler concerned. 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 the dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, August 7, 2018
