Dangerous gifts that could be a nightmare this Christmas

Ahead of Christmas, we'd like to warn residents to be cautious when buying presents this year, particularly online, as cheap and unsafe gifts could put you at risk.

With more people shopping through online marketplaces, our Trading Standards team is highlighting growing concerns about unsafe toys and electrical goods from unknown sellers. Many of these products come from outside the UK and may not meet required safety standards.

Dangerous items can include products with easily accessible button batteries, high-strength magnets, and unsafe electrical parts, all of which could cause serious injury, fires or even death.

The most dangerous gifts to watch out for this Christmas include:

• Cheap copies of popular toys: While they may seem a bargain, the build quality of counterfeit toys are rarely as good as the genuine item, often containing small parts, loose components, unsafe magnets, or harmful chemicals, all of which pose a risk to children. Always buy genuine products from trusted retailers.
• Electric scooters, hoverboards and e-bikes: An increasing nuisance on our streets, these gadgets and vehicles, particularly those bought from unknown retailers online, can reach dangerous speeds and are causing life changing injuries to riders. There's also the issue of sub-standard lithium-ion batteries which can combust and cause fires, and that some electric scooters and bikes are classed as motor vehicles and are therefore subject to the same rules, meaning riders are required to have a valid driving licence and insurance.  Only buy recognised brands from reputable retailers. Northumbria Police has guidance on the legal requirements on buying electric scooters for young people.
• Easy access batteries: Batteries can heat and combust if damaged, or can cause fatal internal burns if swallowed. Batteries contained within a child's toy should be secured in a compartment with a screw fastening to prevent easy access. 
• Water beads: A popular toy which features a lot on social media channels, including Tik Tok. They expand on contact with water, but will do the same if swallowed. Avoid buying for children under 5.
• Magnetic toys: Toys featuring magnets, particularly strong magnets, can cause life threatening injures if swallowed. Please teach older children about the dangers of putting magnets in or near their mouths and remind them to keep magnets away from younger brothers and sisters - only buy from trusted retailers.
• Baby sleep products: Items like hug pillows or poorly designed sleeping bags can cause suffocation or overheating.
• Slime: As well as potentially staining clothing and furnishings, some cheap or counterfeit products can contain dangerous chemicals. Check online for a list of safe brands or make your own using safe materials. 
• Laser pointers: A strong beam can cause permanent eye damage in seconds. The law says that laser pointers sold in the UK must be safe. But there are many dangerous, cheap laser pointers that you can buy in markets or online. And it's impossible to tell if they are safe or not as false labelling is a real problem. We recommend you avoid these altogether.

Councillor Kevin Dodds, Chair of Gateshead Council's Joint Trading Standards Committee, said:

"We know that everyone wants to make Christmas special, and finding affordable gifts is really important for many families this year. But it's just as important to make sure those gifts are safe.

Cheap or imitation products bought online can look like the real thing, but they can be poorly made and sometimes dangerous. A few simple checks can make all the difference - buy from trusted retailers, check for safety marks, and avoid deals that seem too good to be true.

Our priority is keeping families in Gateshead safe, and we're urging everyone to take a little extra care when shopping this Christmas."

Top tips for safe Christmas shopping:

• stick with brands you know and trust. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is
• de especially careful when buying for under-3s. They're most at risk from choking and small parts
• check for check for product recalls and up to date safety notices  on the GOV.UK website
• trust your instincts - if a product looks unsafe or poorly made, send it back

Our Trading Standards team works all year round to keep you safe and help you make informed choices when shopping online. If you have any concerns about the safety of a product, please contact them at [email protected].