Dubai - Dubai Municipality has urged the public to check the quality of toys before buying them.
Published: Mon 10 Apr 2017, 2:07 PM
Updated: Tue 11 Apr 2017, 6:25 PM
When you buy a toy for your children, be aware that many of them could be hazardous to their health. But if you are in Dubai, help is here as the Dubai Municipality conducts frequent checks to ensure that the composition of toys is harmless to the health of children.
Dubai Municipality has urged the public to check the quality of toys before buying them and report to the authorities concerned, including the Consumer Protection Department, if they come across toys of sub-standard quality.
A large number of toys available in the market may contain lead, magnetic material and poisonous chemicals.
Battery-operated toys are not suitable for children below five years, and a large number of toys available have edges, while others have laser capability.
According to Dubai Municipality's guidelines, safety regulations should be applied to any product or material designed and intended for use in play by children of less than 14 years of age, whether the toys are mechanical, chemical or electrical, slides, swings, rings etc.
The guideline specifically mentions that all toys should have labels showing the use of the toys and the possible dangers associated with its usage, as well as the suitable age of the user.
It also requires the labelling to include instructions on the proper way of handling the toy and advice usage under adult supervision, as and when necessary.
Toys intended for use in water are required to provide instructions on maximum water depth, while instructions about the type of safety equipment to be worn while using toys such as skateboards, roller-skates, scooters etc. should be clearly specified.
Every month, the Dubai Municipality confiscates a lot of toys that could pose harm to children through contact with skin, eyes or by ingestion or inhalation.
A total of 36 toys were banned till July 2016, as per statistics provided by the municipality.
Following is the list of some of the toys banned by Dubai Municipality: