Hong Kong Customs alerts public to two models of unsafe toys
Hong Kong Customs today (May 16) urged members of the public to stay alert to a model of unsafe slingshot toy and a model of unsafe tangram. Test results indicated that the slingshot toy could pose an injury risk to children's or other people's eyes or faces, and that the components of the tangram may pose suffocation risks to children. To avoid accidents, parents should immediately stop letting their children play with the slingshot and tangram toys. Traders should also remove the slingshot and tangram toys from their shelves.
Hong Kong Customs, Photo source: reference image
Customs officers earlier test-purchased various toys from the Lunar New Year fair stalls for safety testing. Test results revealed that one model of slingshot toy had a projectile with a certain amount of kinetic energy but did not have a leading part made of a resilient material. It also did not carry the required warnings and cautions about the potential hazards, nor did it carry the required identification markings under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance (TCPSO). It could cause injuries to other people if the object was aimed at the eyes or the face.
Customs also discovered one model of tangram contained small components but lacked the required warnings and cautions about age recommendations and the potential hazards. It also did not carry the required identification markings under the TCPSO. It could pose a danger of suffocation for children if accidentally swallowed.
In the operation, Customs seized a total of about 700slingshot toys and tangrams. A prohibition notice on the related person was also served to prohibit the continued sale of the unsafe toys by the retailer. Customs officers also conducted a territory-wide surveillance of the toys, but no such toys were found available for sale.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing and playing with slingshot toys and tangram toys:
- Pay attention to age recommendations shown on labels;
- Pay attention to and follow the instructions associated with the toys;
- Do not put items other than original accessories into toys for shooting;
- Do not shoot items into eyes or faces; and
- Beware of whether the small parts of toys are easily detachable. Detached small parts may block a child's throat and lead to suffocation if swallowed.
Customs is committed to the protection of consumer interests and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on toys and children's products to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.
Under the TCPSO it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import unsafe toys or children's products. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on a subsequent conviction.
Members of the public may report information relating to suspected unsafe toys or children's products via Customs' 24-hour hotline182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs today (May 16) urged members of the public to stay alert to a model of unsafe sling shot toy and a model of unsafe tangram. Photo shows two of the components of the unsafe tangram concerned, which could pose a danger of suffocation for children if accidentally swallowed. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs today (May 16) urged members of the public to stay alert to a model of unsafe slingshot toy and a model of unsafe tangram. Photo shows the slingshot toy concerned; test results indicate that the toy could pose an injury risk to children's or other people's eyes or faces. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Special traffic arrangements for race meeting in Happy Valley
The Police will implement special traffic arrangements in Happy Valley today (November 4). These arrangements will remain in effect until the race meeting has concluded, spectators have dispersed, and traffic conditions return to normal.
A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race
The following road closure and traffic diversions will be implemented from noon for day meetings or from 6pm onwards for night meetings:
1. Road closure
Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp outside the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed, except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.
2. Traffic diversions
- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside the HKJC will be rerouted one way northbound;
- Traffic along eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;
- Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;
- Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road, except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel;
- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and
- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.
B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting
The following road closure and traffic diversions will be implemented from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:
1. Road closure
- The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside the HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;
- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of the HKJC; and
- Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.
In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of the HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.
2. Traffic diversions
- Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;
- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;
- Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and
- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.
C. Prohibition for learner drivers
Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:
- Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;
- Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;
- Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;
- Canal Road East; and
- The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.
D. Suspension of parking spaces
Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm for day meetings, and from 5pm to 11.59pm for night meetings respectively.
During the implementation of the special traffic arrangements, any vehicles found illegally parked within the precincts of the specified areas will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.
Depending on the prevailing conditions, other traffic control measures will be implemented. Motorists are advised to exercise patience and tolerance, and take heed of instructions of the police officers on site.
Source: AI-found images
