UNWRAPPING A DEATH TRAP

The toys under your tree could be an accident waiting to happen for your kids

- RACHEL TOMPKINS

Toys are big business at this time of year. Last Christmas, £1.7 billion worth of toy sales rang through the tills in the 12 weeks leading to 25 December.

Worryingly, however, more than 80,000 people in the UK arrive in A&E over the festive period for Christmas-related accidents, many of which involve toys. With online purchases being more popular than ever, it's becoming increasingly difficult to ensure the toys you're buying have passed all the necessary health and safety requirements.

And shockingly, in 2021, the British Toy and Hobby Association bought 255 toys from several online marketplaces and found that 48% were unsafe, meaning they could harm or kill a child.

Woman's Own looks back at some of the most dangerous toys that have appeared on shelves over Christmas and shares expert advice about how to make sure your family don't fall victim to them...

FERTILITYWRECKING SLIME

In 2021, 'Glacier slime' and 'Ninja slime' were found to contain toxic levels of boron - a chemical that can harm a child's reproductive system if ingested. Unbelievably, despite containing 701mg/kg of boron, Ninja slime came with a straw and instructions describing how to blow bubbles with it, thereby increasing the risk of it being accidentally eaten.

DATE-RAPE DRUG CRAFT BEADS

Arranging some small beads and then spraying them with water so that they stick together to create a design might seem like harmless fun. But in 2007, reports of several children across the world becoming ill after swallowing Aqua Dots beads led to a recall of the product.