Dangerous toys that could cause ‘kidney and brain damage’ urgently recalled in UK – as parents warned ‘take them away’
PARENTS have been warned to check their children’s toys after Costco issued an urgent recall on one of it’s kids products.
Customers have been alerted that the children’s toy could cause “kidney and brain damage”, with parents urged to immediately take the toy away from their kids.
The Stanley Jr Wheelbarrow and a seven-piece Garden Set has been issued an urgent recall due to “excess concentrations of migratable lead.”
The product fails to comply with the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
Officials from the Office for Product Safety, have revealed that the yellow paint on both the hoe and handles contains dangerous levels of lead.
A spokesperson for the OPSS said: “The product presents a serious chemical risk as the yellow paint on the handle of the long hoe was found to contain 800 ± 12mg/kg of migratable lead and the yellow paint on the handle of the long rake was found to contain 210 ± 4mg/kg of migratable lead.
“Exposure to lead may cause a wide range of adverse effects, including damage to the kidneys, the circulatory system, and the developing brain. The unborn child and young children are the most sensitive to lead.
“The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.”
Owners of the toy have been advised to stop using them immediately, and make sure their children are kept well away from the toy.
Parents are urged to consult the government website to register the product and request a free replacement.
The recall statement reads: “This recall is for the long handle rake and hoe included in the Stanley Jr. Kids Wheelbarrow and 7-piece Garden Set sold exclusively at Costco.
“All other components in the set, including the wheelbarrow and short handle tools are safe to use.
“The set can be identified by SKU SGH021-08-SY and Costco Item Number 1662178.
“To check if your product is part of this recall, look for a sticker on the bottom of the wheelbarrow indicating it is from batch number 12/2023.
“The painted long hoe and rake of the recalled garden set contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead paint ban, posing a lead poisoning hazard to children.
“No other components of the Stanley Jr. Kids Wheelbarrow and 7-piece Garden Set are affected by this recall.
What to watch out for when buying toys online
HERE are the British Toy and Hobby Association's top tips for buying toys online:
- Shop early. Don’t leave purchases to the last minute rush which might leave you fewer options of where to buy from.
- Check out third-party sellers. Look for sellers you recognise and trust. Be cautious of retailers you don’t know and do your research checking reviews and where they’re based.
- Go for branded toys. Try and choose a branded toy as then you can compare it to the manufacturer’s own website to check it’s legit.
- Be careful of going for the cheapest price. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is.
- Check if there are any age restrictions. Make sure you give suitable toys to children based on their age.
- Check reviews carefully. Some reviews are fake so look carefully at the comments.
- Stay with children at first. When your child opens a toy for the first time, stay with them and check for faults, detachable small parts, access to stuffing and loose or accessible batteries or magnets.
“To disassemble the hoe and rake, you need to unscrew the two screws at the top that connect the head to the wooden stick.”
Costco has been approached for comment.