Toxic risks prompt warning from county’s Trading StandardsAuthor: Adam ClarkPublished 2 hours agoParents in Staffordshire are being cautioned about potentially dangerous fake “squishy” sensory toys following concerns from the County Council’s Trading Standards service.These soft and squeezable toys, often resembling food items like doughnuts and dumplings, have gained popularity due to social media trends. While genuine products are safe, officers in Staffordshire have discovered toys that may not meet UK safety standards, raising alarms about risks to children. Concerns include skin irritation, nausea, choking hazards from splitting or leaking toys, and reports of burns when toys are heated. Parents are advised to supervise young children when using these toys and to remove and report those causing skin irritation, headaches, or respiratory issues. Anthony Screen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience at Staffordshire County Council, said: “These ‘squishy’ toys have become incredibly popular, particularly with children and young people, but safety should always come first.” “While many products on sale are perfectly legitimate, some cheaper imitation versions may not meet the standards required in the UK. We would encourage parents, carers and anyone buying these toys to check labels carefully, look for UKCA or CE markings and only buy from reputable retailers.” Businesses are reminded of their legal responsibilities to ensure products meet UK safety requirements, are labelled correctly, and possess traceable supply chains. Potentially unsafe products can be reported online on the Trading Standards Report It webpage or by calling 01785 330356.First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.
Fake ‘squishy’ toys in Staffordshire raise safety concerns
