Customers warned not to give 'dangerous' advent calendar to children

A warning has been issued over a fidget toy advent calendar that contains high levels of a dangerous chemical.

Trading Standards officers at North Lanarkshire Council are urging customers who have bought the item not to give it to children and instead return it to the retailer immediately.

The local authority said the calendar has shown excessive amounts of a chemical used in manufacturing to soften plastic.

This can harm the health of children, causing possible damage to their reproductive system.

As well as containing high levels of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), the product also fails to carry the name of the manufacturer or importers’ details.

As a result, it does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011, which are in place to ensure only safe toys are available to purchase within the UK.

The calendars have been sold in the North Lanarkshire area.

Councillor Michael McPake, convener of the environment and transportation committee, said: “The lack of manufacturer and importer details on this calendar raised concern with our Trading Standards team, and testing of the product highlighted significant safety concerns.

“Thanks to the vigilance of our officers, we are taking action to remove these calendars from sale and I would ask the public to share this information with anyone who might have bought one of these calendars.

“Our advice is don’t open them or let children play with the toys inside, and return the calendar to the retailer where you bought it.

“You are entitled to a full refund.”