Parents are urged to throw away their child’s dumpling squishies if they have a particular smell, as they could contain dangerous chemicals.
Anyone who has a tween or teen (or who has been on TikTok in recent months) will know all about the viral dumpling squishy toys. They have taken the internet by storm recently and every child seems to want one.
The problem with these trends is that when they go viral and the demand skyrockets, counterfeit and often unsafe versions tend to be sold online and in stores – and it can be difficult to tell which ones are safe and which ones are not.
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Throw away dumpling squishy toys if they have this smell
Swansea Council recently issued a warning to parents that they should get rid of their child’s dumpling toy if it has a chemical smell similar to petrol.
The council said that it had tested numerous counterfeit products which had been seized, revealing that numerous toys contained chemicals (VOCs) such as Ethyl Benzene, Styrene, m-Xylene, p-Xylene and o-Xylene.
‘Trading Standards is warning that children can be exposed to potential risks if toys have not been properly tested, labelled and placed on the market in line with safety regulations,’ they said in a statement.
‘When a toy gives off a strong chemical smell and is missing basic safety information, that should ring alarm bells for parents and retailers alike,’ the council warned parents.
‘Our main concern is the risk posed to children if unsafe items end up in homes, school bags or play areas.’
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According to the CCPC, over 100 of these types of toys have been recalled from stores in Wicklow and Dublin, as they failed to meet safety standards. ‘It has not been demonstrated to the CCPC that the toy has been tested to the relevant safety standards,’ the recall notice on the products read.
What to look out for when buying dumplings
When shopping for these squisies in Ireland, parents should ensure:
- They have the CE mark
- They are being sold by reputable toy companies, and avoid unverified online sellers and pop-up stalls
- They pay attention to the age restrictions (usually 3+ or 6+ for these dumplings)
- In Ireland, toys or packaging must clearly display the name and address of the manufacturer or importer, according to the CCPC
