In a pre-Christmas operation, Europol announced that more than 8 million counterfeit and dangerous toys had been seized across the European Union.

Among the confiscated items were fake dolls, building sets, toy cars, coloring kits, soft toys, board games, educational toys and more — many of which posed serious safety risks.

According to Europol, this is the second such operation in two years. Since the beginning of the campaign, authorities have seized approximately 17 million of these toys.

What were the risks

The toys could cause choking, suffocation, drowning, cuts, burns, and chemical injuries, as many were made from materials that do not comply with safety standards.

There was a risk that children could swallow small parts (such as magnets) that easily detached.

Some toys could damage eyesight or hearing, and low-quality batteries posed a fire hazard.

What Europol advises

Europol urges parents and shoppers to be especially cautious ahead of the holiday season: buy toys only from trusted and reputable sellers, both online and in physical stores.

If a product comes from an unknown source, lacks proper labeling or safety information, or seems unusually cheap, it is better to avoid purchasing it.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/