Toys are big business at this time of year. Last Christmas, £1.7 billion worth of toy sales rang through the tills in the 12 weeks leading to 25 December.
Worryingly, however, more than 80,000 people in the UK arrive in A&E over the festive period for Christmas-related accidents, many of which involve toys. With online purchases being more popular than ever, it's becoming increasingly difficult to ensure the toys you're buying have passed all the necessary health and safety requirements.
And shockingly, in 2021, the British Toy and Hobby Association bought 255 toys from several online marketplaces and found that 48% were unsafe, meaning they could harm or kill a child.
Woman's Own looks back at some of the most dangerous toys that have appeared on shelves over Christmas and shares expert advice about how to make sure your family don't fall victim to them...
FERTILITYWRECKING SLIME
In 2021, 'Glacier slime' and 'Ninja slime' were found to contain toxic levels of boron - a chemical that can harm a child's reproductive system if ingested. Unbelievably, despite containing 701mg/kg of boron, Ninja slime came with a straw and instructions describing how to blow bubbles with it, thereby increasing the risk of it being accidentally eaten.
DATE-RAPE DRUG CRAFT BEADS
Arranging some small beads and then spraying them with water so that they stick together to create a design might seem like harmless fun. But in 2007, reports of several children across the world becoming ill after swallowing Aqua Dots beads led to a recall of the product.
Bu hikaye WOMAN'S OWN dergisinin November 07, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye WOMAN'S OWN dergisinin November 07, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Is it ever OK to lie about your age?
Kaye Adams has done it, and even Mel B jokes that she doesn't believe friend Geri Horner is 51. We ask...
‘I DIDN'T THINK.I'D SEE MUM AGAIN'int ICAT AFAR
MelB on rebuilding her life rebuilding her life after her abusive’ marriage
8 WAYS TO BECOME A MORNING PERSON
Improve body and mind with just a few simple tweaks to your daily routine
WHY YOU NEVER FORGET YOUR FIRST LOVE
(laire Dore, 50, learnt a lot from her first serious relationship
WHAT'S THE NAKED ATTRACTION ?
After a host of celebrities admitted to stripping off behind closed doors, Natalie Brown, 43, decided to bare all to find out just what all the fuss was about
MY FURY AT BEING A GRAN AT 52
Shona Sibary was far from excited when her eldest daughter welcomed her first child
A YEAR IN THE MAKING
Many of us shy away from drastic change but for these three women, it was just what they needed
I LOST 6ST AND FOUND THE REAL ME!
Shay Al-Ajami May, 32, was fed up pretending to be happy, so she decided to make it a reality
WHAT DO YOUR FEET SAY ABOUT YOUR HEALTH?
From heart disease to arthritis, here’s what they might be trying to tell you…
HOW CAN WE HELP OUR CHILDREN?
With more young people facing mental-health crises, we investigate what needs to be done