BBC Watchdog finds fidget spinners with ‘blades sharp enough to puncture eyes and skin’ are available to buy in the UK
DANGEROUS fidget spinners which have blades sharp enough to puncture eyes and skin have been found for sale in the UK.
An investigation in to the toy craze by the BBC's Watchdog, which is being broadcast tonight on TV, found dangerous fidget spinners for sale online and in shops.
Its team purchased five fidget spinners from local shops and consulted with a toy safety expert.
He concluded that none of them should have been sold, as they did not pass essential toy tests.
The team also bought three fidget spinners from eBay - which were marketed as toys for children - but with the appearance of a "death star", which is classed as an offensive weapon in the UK.
The items were also put through a test with blades expert Professor Sarah Hainsworth.
She tested the gadgets by stabbing into a tomato (as a substitute for an eye) and pork skin (to reflect human skin).
Three of them had the ability to puncture a tomato, and two were able to puncture pork skin.
Concerned parents, who have purchases fidget spinners for their children, told the programme that they were alarmed with the poor quality.
MORE ON FIDGET SPINNERS
One parent said how they found a large shard of metal sticking out of a newly-bought fidget spinner, which he accidentally cut himself on while examining it.
When he complained to the retailer they were not very concerned about safety, promoting fears that more children could be affected by the poor standards of production in some toys.
A spokesperson from eBay said: "These items are absolutely not permitted and will be immediately removed. We’d like to thank the programme for bringing these items to our attention."
The toys were designed as stress-relieving tools, which have been used to help kids deal with ADHD and anxiety.
The propeller-shaped gadgets, which come in a variety of colours, have ball bearings which allow them to spin.
You simply hold it in between your fingers, flick it and watch it spin. Some versions even light up, and they are completely silent.
But it's not the first time parents have raised concerns about the safety of the toy.
Australian mum Mollie warned that her son nearly "lost an eye" while performing tricks with the toy, earlier this year.
IS YOUR FIDGET SPINNER SAFE?
WATCHDOG consulted with Trading Standards, who gave the following advice if parents are looking to purchase a similar item:
- Always look for the CE mark on packaging. This means they have been safety tested to European standards. If you can’t see one - don’t buy it.
- Always buy from a reputable seller - and don’t buy these toys for children under three as they have small parts that could present a choke hazard to children.
While some parents have expressed fears over "exploding" bluetooth fidget spinners, which have "burst into flames while charging".
Two mums have reported their children’s gadgets unexpectedly set fire while plugged into the mains – prompting fears they could be dangerous.
Watchdog is on BBC One tonight (Wednesday August 2) at 8pm.
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