Public warned to check fidget spinners amidst safety concerns

They may be the hit toy of 2017, but some fidget spinners have given cause for concern.

Around 200,000 imported fidget spinners have been seized by the the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and Revenue and Customs since 8 May, reports the Irish Times. The CCPC said it became concerned at the quality of some of the toys on sale in Ireland and said that safety concerns led it to intervene in their importation. It said that some fidget spinners recently on sale in Ireland "could pose a potential risk to consumers" as they did not meet minimum EU product safety standards. "We are currently examining samples of those products. If we find that products are uncompliant with product safety legislation, the products may be sent back to where they originally came from or destroyed,” it said. It warned the public to check fidget spinners they buy for a visible CE mark, the manufacturer's or importer's details on the packaging and for any small parts that could get lodges in the ears, nose or throat. It also discouraged people from buying fidget spinners on social media or from street vendors as these sellers may not be established businesses.