Toy safety
While toys sold by well-known stores are generally safe, toys, novelty items and dressing-up clothes you can buy from online marketplaces, markets or small discount stores may not be. Please take care and don’t assume that, just because you can buy something, it must be safe.
In this guide we explain:
Dangerous toys available online
When you buy from an online marketplace such as AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Groupon, Joom, OnBuy, Shein, Temu, TikTok Shop and Wish remember:
- not everything they sell is supplied by them
- they don’t have to check that toys sold by other sellers are safe.
So, if it’s not a brand name you know, that awesome toy you bagged at a bargain price could be coming from a dodgy dealer anywhere in the world. And it could be dangerous for your child.
Remember that corner shops and cash and carries also buy toys from online marketplaces. So take care when buying from them too.
Which toys are most dangerous?
Under 3s at biggest risk
Babies and toddlers are curious and naturally put everything in their mouths so they are at risk of:
- Swallowing button batteries
- Swallowing magnets
- Swallowing potentially harmful chemicals
- Choking on toys with small parts or long fur or hair
Plus, their windpipes are smaller and softer than those of adults and older children, so they can suffocate far more quickly if they get tangled up in long cords.
That’s why, if you’re shopping for a child under 3, we recommend opting for well-known brand names and retailers if you can.
How to spot a dodgy dealer vs a safe seller online
Who are you buying from?
✔️The online store of a high street chain?
✔️The website of a big-name toy brand?
✔️The manufacturer of the branded toy?
❌A company you’ve never heard of?
Where is the seller based?
✔️ Here in the UK?
✔️ Elsewhere in Europe?
❌ Overseas, where UK safety standards may not apply?
⚠️ Watch out! A UK PO Box may hide the fact a company is actually based overseas.
Is the listing suspicious?
⚠️ If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is
⚠️ Be wary of toys with small or loose parts and no age warning
⚠️ If the listing contradicts itself – for example, it’s described as a toddler’s toy, but elsewhere it says it’s not suitable for under 3s – think again
What do the reviews say?
⚠️ Look out for suspicious reviews. If they look like they’re copied from a leaflet, sound very similar or were written on the same day, they could be fake
Has the product been recalled?
Who would imagine you can buy a product for your child that’s so dangerous it has been recalled?
But you can. Even on well-known online platforms.
So, before you buy something, check if it’s on the recalls list.
How to check if your toy is safe
If you’re unsure about the safety of a toy, here are some checks you can do:
- Check battery compartments for accessible button batteries or loose spares in the box
- Check for any loose small magnets
- Give the parts on the toy a quick tug and check for small parts that come off
- Look for long cords or access to stuffing
- Check if there are any age restrictions or safety warnings on the product
Safety marks to look out for
A CE mark is required by law on any toy sold in the EU. It is the manufacturer’s claim that the toy complies with European safety legislation.
The UKCA mark is the manufacturer’s claim that the toy complies with all UK laws and the applicable British conformity assessment procedures.
The Lion Mark is a good indicator of a toy’s safety. It shows that the product has been made by a member of the British Toy and Hobby Association.
But remember, safety markings could be faked. So, use your judgement.
If a bargain seems too good to be true, trust your instincts and don’t rely solely on the markings.
How to report dangerous toys
Spotted a toy you think may be dangerous? Trading Standards make it easy for you to report concerns about dangerous toys, whether in the shops or online.
Simply call:
- Citizens Advice consumer helpline: 0808 223 1133
- Citizens Advice consumer helpline (Welsh-speaking adviser): 0808 223 1144
- Advice Direct Scotland helpline: 0808 164 6000
- Northern Ireland Consumerline: 0300 123 6262
Related pages
Related pages
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Toy safety fact sheet
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