Customs warns of unsafe toy gun set

Customs on Friday reminded members of the public to stay alert to an unsafe model of a toy gun set, as test results indicated that the toy gun and its whistle accessory might pose a safety hazard.

Customs officers had previously bought and tested projectile toys from retailers in different districts for safety testing.

Their investigation revealed that one model of a toy gun was found to allow children to put objects other than the original accessories into the barrel for shooting, which could cause severe injury if the objects were shot at children's or other people's eyes or faces.

In addition, the attached whistle was also found to have a chance to cause permanent hearing damage upon long-term exposure as it could emit a sound over the permissible limit.

Customs later conducted an operation and searched the retailer's premises where six suspected unsafe toy guns of the same model were seized, and a prohibition notice was posted at the same time to prohibit the continued sale of the toy set by the retailer and other wholesalers.

Customs also reminded the parents to follow safety tips when buying and playing with toy guns with their kids, such as telling them to avoid playing alone, pointing the gun at sensitive parts, etc.

The spokesman has said that it is an offense under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance to supply, manufacture, or import harmful toys or children's products, with a maximum penalty of a HK$100,000 fine and one year in prison upon first conviction.