Municipality seizes toys with alcohol labels

Toys which may encourage children to consume alcohol have been seized from city shops by municipal inspectors. A construction set, key chains with small bottles bearing whisky labels and toy bottle openers were among the items confiscated.
Redha Hassan Salman, head of the Environment Protection and Safety Section, said, "These toys give children the wrong idea by promoting alcohol among them. Young children can't easily discern between good and bad and these toys send out the wrong message.
"Alcohol is found in bars, not in the playrooms of children. Although they pose as toys, they are actually a danger to our children, exploiting their innocence."
Hamdan Al Shaer, Director of the Environment Department, said, "This is a promotion of destructive ideas among the new generation. Dubai Municipality will request the General Secretariat of Municipalities to carry out a campaign against this kind of toy."
Other toys seized by inspectors included plastic containers containing a toy baby surrounded by gooey, fluorescent gel and dough that pops.
Salman said, "How are little children going to understand the process of giving birth with this toy? It's quite distasteful. The dough is made of some fluorescent material that small children may well swallow."
Other toys bore misleading labels.
"Many toys come with false labels listing recommended age levels. They were put there just to assure parents and the authorities that the product is legitimate," he said.
"We have a list of all the toy shops and stores selling toys. They are checked regularly and on a random basis. We ask the shopkeepers to provide a certificate from either the toy manufacturer or an organisation that has listed the toy as being safe for use."
Government departments must work together to ensure that dangerous and unsuitable products do not reach the shelves, he said.
"We are working for greater coordination with the Dubai Ports and Customs authorities, although we understand that it is difficult for them to track all these little items and prevent them from reaching the market. Sometimes they come under different labels, not necessarily as toys.
"We are always on the lookout and we regularly inform the public. If people find dubious toys, or are suspicious of something, they can call the department on (04) 2064244. They can also mail the item to us to have it tested.
"Shops that are caught selling banned toys are warned the first time. If caught again, they face heavy fines or cancellation of licences."