Brits are being warned to be careful as they shop as another batch of unsafe toys have been found in the UK.
With Christmas only a week away, many of us will have already found and wrapped the majority of their presents ahead of the big day. However, those who have managed to get their hands on some popular toys for their kids this year are being urged to remain cautious as a number of counterfeit dolls have been seized in the UK.
In the run up to Christmas, many trading standards teams up and down the country have been finding countless fake Labubu dolls being sold in shops. With the dolls quickly becoming a Tiktok trend earlier in the year, the furry toys have become increasingly popular, with originals hard to come by.
As a result, many fakes have emerged into stores to try and combat this rising demand. However, parents are being urged not to buy these products as they pose serious safety risks for children.
Earlier in the week we reported hundreds of the replica Labubu’s had been seized in the Highlands, and the same issue seems to be arising south of the border as North Yorkshire Council’s trading standards team has reported an ongoing investigation, reports Yorkshire Live.
Seizing numerous Labubu dolls from stores in Scarborough and Whitby, the trading standards team have also found counterfeit versions of popular characters like Stitch and Bluey being sold to unsuspecting parents. Shoppers are warned these toys could lead to choking hazards due to small parts or containing heavy metals and chemicals.
Councillor Richard Foster, whose responsibilities include trading standards, said: “This operation sends a timely reminder to both those who bring these substandard toys into our county and to parents.
“We will not hesitate to take action when we discover operations like this, and parents should be aware of the potential risk they are presenting to their children if they buy from unscrupulous retailers
“We want families to enjoy a safe and happy Christmas, so it’s important to check that toys meet safety standards and are purchased from reputable sellers.”
The North Yorkshire council also warned due to the time of year and people being stressed about money, shoppers may buy items offered to them at cheaper prices than normal, thinking they are getting a better deal.
The Head of Trading Standards, Jo Boutflower, said: “Popular items, such as Labubu dolls or products featuring characters such as Stitch or Bluey, may be counterfeit and fake items will not have been through the rigorous safety testing required of genuine products.”
For anyone across the country who has recently bought a Labubu, Stitch or Bluey toy for Christmas and are worried about if their product is safe to use, the council has given signs to look out for on your presents:
- Small parts on toys which could become detached and pose a choking or inhalation hazard.
- Cords or ties which could become wrapped around a child’s throat and cause a risk of strangulation.
- Plastic toys and toy jewellery which may contain heavy metals and other chemicals.
- Larger toys with moving parts which could include entrapment hazards.
Up in Moray, hundreds of fake Labubus were seized from shops, with many featuring small detachable parts that could cause choking. Others had poor stitching, exposed stuffing, or sharp internal components that could cause risk of injury or suffocation.
Chair of the Planning and Regulatory Services Committee, Councillor David Gordan, said: “The high demand for Labubu dolls has only amplified in the run-up to Christmas, so these raids have come at an important time.
“While counterfeit goods may – at face value – seem harmless, they are manufactured without adequate safety checks, and as officers have found, pose a serious risk to children and pets due to small parts that fall off quite easily.
“Any traders choosing to ignore these regulations can expect to have unsafe products seized.”
