Consumers should exercise care when choosing toy lanterns and light sticks for children as Customs have found two out of 13 toy lanterns and one of the three light sticks it tested unsafe.

Customs conducted 130 spot checks on retailers supplying battery-operated toy lanterns and light sticks. Two battery-operated lanterns did not carry the required instructions on safe battery usage, while details of the local manufacturers, importers or suppliers were not identified in the two lanterns and the light stick.

Caution urged: Customs have found two toy lanterns and one light stick unsafe, urging parents to be careful when choosing festive toys for children.

One of the battery-operated lanterns was contained in an elastic plastic bag which posed suffocation hazard to children. Customs have served a notice on the retailer, banning the supply of the goods concerned.

Chief Trade Controls Officer Ng Hing-tong reminded parents to watch out for potential hazards of battery-operated lanterns and light sticks when selecting toys for their children.

Last year there were 120 spot checks on retailers supplying battery-operated toy lanterns and light sticks, with three people prosecuted for supplying unsafe toy lanterns and light sticks and 21 suppliers warned.

To report unsafe toys and children's products, call 2545 6182 or write to the Consumer Protection & Prosecution Bureau, Customs & Excise Department, 11/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point.