Photo: Customs found that this racket-projectile toy can launch objects other than the original accessories, which may cause harm to others.

[Ta Kung Pao News]Reporter Cheng Jin reports: Parents should pay attention to product safety when purchasing toys for their children. Customs yesterday reminded the public to pay attention to a ball-racing projectile toy. Test results showed that the toy has the potential to cause injury to children. To avoid accidents, parents should immediately stop letting children play with the ball-racing projectile toy. Customs also called on merchants who sell the toy to remove it from the shelves immediately.

Customs officers purchased several models of projectile toys from retailers in different districts for safety testing and found that one of the projectile toys with a racket could launch objects other than the original accessories, which could cause harm if they were fired at the eyes or face of others. Customs also found that the toy did not carry a safety warning about the risk of choking caused by the small balls it was equipped with. In addition, the identification mark of the toy did not comply with the requirements of the Toys and Children’s Products Safety Ordinance (the Ordinance).

Customs said it had taken action to search the retailer involved and found no other suspected unsafe racket projectile toys. It also issued a prohibition notice prohibiting the retailer from continuing to sell the unsafe racket projectile toy.

According to the Ordinance, any person who supplies, manufactures or imports unsafe toys or children’s products is guilty of an offence. Offenders may be fined up to $100,000 and imprisoned for one year on first conviction, and up to $500,000 and imprisoned for two years on subsequent convictions.