Dangerous toys banned from North West shops

North West shops are being helped to remove dangerous toys and electrical products from sale thanks to an EU-wide consumer protection scheme.

RAPEX is a rapid response system that allows EU countries to share information about products posing a health and safety risk to consumers. The system alerts countries to products that pose a risk so they can be quickly removed from sale and customers alerted to the dangers.

Over 700 dangerous products were reported last year, almost double the number in 2004. Toys and electrical goods were the most common offenders with electric shock and risk of injury the main reason for reporting.

The increased numbers are partly due to better reporting as well as a sharp increase in the import of substandard goods from China.

North West Euro-MP Chris Davies claims the RAPEX system is an example of the EU working at its best.

The Liberal Democrat MEP said: "If a toy in Germany is found to have the potential to seriously injure or even kill a child then the sooner we can ensure it is taken off British shelves the better."

So far this year Britain has reported a variety of dangerous goods to the register. These range from a mobile phone that could burst into flames when charging to baby teethers that can cause vomiting and diarrhoea to the infant.

The system also protects British holidaymakers abroad. For example, a Yo-Yo ball in Spain was banned from sale after it was found to have a risk of strangulation.

Notes

The following are a few of the products reported to the EU by Britain since January 2006.

Novelty cigarette lighters (various shapes eg pink pig, skateboard, guitar, playing cards) posed risk of fire and burns.

Mobile phone (O2 X1) - Made in South Korea. Instances of overheating occurred when charging and in one incident scorched the floor.

Disney 'Bundles of Magic Baby Pooh Soft Cool Ring Teether' - Made in China. Fluid within rings may contain bacteria which could cause illness in children.

'Reebok' heart shaped charm bracelet. Risk of poisoning from high lead content. Reebok has received a report of a death caused by lead poisoning of a 4 year old in the USA. The child reportedly swallowed a piece from one of these bracelets.

'Rayburn' decorative lamps - Made in China. Risk to health from lamp oil and risk of fire as lamps have a tendency to tip over.

Laser pointer/lighter as posed risk of fire and burns - Made in China.