QUEZON CITY — The EcoWaste Coalition is warning children from playing with a squishy chicken toy that comes with a disposable syringe, which is dangerous, especially if played without close adult supervision.
As National Children’s Month is observed this November as per Republic Act No. 10661, the environmental and health watchdog group emphasized the right of all children to quality and safe toys that can support their development and make them explore, discover, learn, and be creative and happy.
To hammer home its call for non-hazardous children’s toys, the group drew attention to a squishy chicken toy that toy wholesalers in Binondo, Manila sell for P150 per pack of 20 units. The toy is resold for P10 each, making it affordable to young children.
The toy provides no labeling information, no usage instruction, no cautionary statement, and other information required under Republic Act No. 10620, or the Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act.
Like most toys, no information was given about the chemical composition of the squishy chicken toys and potential health risks if any.
According to the EcoWaste Coalition, this toy is a likely hazard for children who are not aware of how to safely use the syringe, which is used to inject water into the chicken toy to create bubbles or pimples.
The misuse of the injection needle can puncture the skin, injure the eyes, or cause cuts and grazes, the group warned.
Also, allowing children to play with such toys without adult supervision may give them the wrong idea that needles and syringes are toys, the group pointed out.
As parents have a crucial role to play in keeping their kids safe from hazardous toys, the EcoWaste Coalition reminded parents to observe the following tips in selecting safe child-friendly toys:
- Buy from legitimate sources and save the proof of purchase to facilitate replacement, refund, or warranty claim if needed.
- Examine the product label: check the age suggestion, warnings, and usage instructions; look for the manufacturer’s markings and the FDA-issued license to operate (LTO) number.
- Seek toys that are suitable for the child’s age, aptitude, skill, and temperament, and follow the age recommendation.
- Pick toys that are bigger than a child’s mouth to avoid choking (“the smaller the child, the bigger the toy”); avoid toys that can easily break into small parts or with small unsecured components like button cell batteries that may be ingested or placed in the nose or the ears.
- Avoid painted toys unless the paint used is certified lead-safe, and steer clear of toys made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, which contains hidden toxic additives such as heavy metals like cadmium and lead, and phthalates.
- Avoid art toys and toy cosmetics that are not verified as non-toxic.
- Avoid toys that shoot small or pointed objects into the air that may cause eye or body injuries.
- Avoid toys with sharp edges or points that may bruise or cut a child’s sensitive skin.
- Avoid toys with cords or strings longer than 12 inches that may get tangled around the neck and suffocate the child.
- Avoid toys that create excessive noise, which can damage a child’s sensitive hearing.
- Avoid stuffed toys with buttons or eyes that may be pulled loose and swallowed by a child; avoid those with pellet-like stuffing that may get into a child’s hand and mouth when the toy breaks open.
- Avoid toys that tend to induce aggression and violence such as toy guns, toy knives, and other toy weapons.
The EcoWaste Coalition will continue to monitor the market for unsafe toys and make constant efforts to inform consumers.
