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Hong Kong Customs Warns Parents of Suffocation Risk from Unsafe Light Clay Toys

HK

Hong Kong Customs Warns Parents of Suffocation Risk from Unsafe Light Clay Toys
HK

HK

Hong Kong Customs Warns Parents of Suffocation Risk from Unsafe Light Clay Toys

2024-09-10 16:10 Last Updated At:16:18

Hong Kong Customs alerts public to unsafe light clay toy

Hong Kong Customs today (September 10) reminded members of the public to stay alert to an unsafe light clay toy. Test results indicated that the plastic sheets wrapping the toy could pose a suffocation risk to children. To avoid an accident, parents should immediately stop letting their children from playing with the light clay toys. Traders should also remove the light clay toys from their shelves.

Customs officers earlier test-purchased various models of clay toys from retailers in different districts for safety testing. Test results revealed that the thickness of the plastic sheets of one model of light clay toy was less than 0.038 millimetres and children could suffocate if they covered their faces with the plastic sheets.

Customs later conducted an operation and seized a total of 184 suspected unsafe light clay toys of the same model from the related retailer and wholesaler. Prohibition notices were served at the same time to stop their continued sale and supply of the unsafe light clay toy.

The investigation is ongoing.

Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing and playing with toys:

  • Beware of whether the toys contain any small parts. Small parts may block a child's throat and lead to suffocation if swallowed;
  • Check the structure of the toys to see, for example, whether they have a fragile structure, hidden sharp points, rough surfaces, sharp edges or gaps that may pinch children's fingers;
  • Do not let children play with toys alone;
  • Pay attention to age recommendations shown on labels;
  • Pay attention to and follow the instructions associated with the toys;
  • Throw away plastic packaging materials of toys to avoid children being suffocated; and
  • Stop children from playing with the toys immediately if any damage is observed.
  • Customs is committed to the protection of consumer interests 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 a 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) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

    Hong Kong Customs alerts public to unsafe light clay toy  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

    Hong Kong Customs alerts public to unsafe light clay toy Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

    Hong Kong Customs alerts public to unsafe light clay toy  Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

    Hong Kong Customs alerts public to unsafe light clay toy Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

    Labour Department highly concerned about fatal work accident that happened in Jardine's Lookout today

    ​The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened at a detached house in Jardine's Lookout this morning (January 20), in which a man fell from a wooden folding ladder while installing an air-conditioner. He was certified dead later in hospital. The LD is saddened by his death and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family.

    The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and have issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the air-conditioning works at the detached house concerned. The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that suitable measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."

    The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation."

    To protect workers' safety, the LD reminds contractors that ladders are usually used for ascending and descending only. Using ladders for work-above-ground is unsafe. Contractors shall provide and ensure that workers use appropriate working platforms or other safe means of support, including step platforms or hop-up platforms in conformity with international or national standards, instead of ladders.

    The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.

    In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application "OSH 2.0", website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.

    The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.

    For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.

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