Hong Kong Customs today (July 6) reminded members of the public to stay alert to an unsafe model of a toy gun. Test results indicated that the toy gun could pose a risk of hurting children's or other people's eyes or faces. To avoid an accident, parents should immediately stop their children from playing with the toy gun. Traders should also remove the toy gun from their shelves.
Customs earlier test-purchased various models of toy guns from retailers in different districts for safety testing. Test results revealed that one toy gun model could allow children to put objects other than the original accessories into the barrel for shooting. It could cause injury if the objects were shot at children's or other people's eyes or faces.
Customs later conducted an operation and searched a retailer's premises in connection with the case. Four suspected unsafe toy guns of the same model were seized and a prohibition notice was served at the same time to prohibit the continued sale of the toy gun by the retailer and the related wholesaler.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing and playing with toy guns:
Customs is committed to safeguarding consumers' safety and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on toys and children's products to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.
Under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import 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 Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Wednesday, July 6, 2022
