ನೀವು ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆ ಕೊಡಿಸೋ ಟಾಯ್ಸ್ ನಿಜಕ್ಕೂ ಸೇಫಾ?|Pushpa Girimaji |Are the kids toys truly safe?
Toys bring joy, curiosity, and creativity into a child’s world. But are all toys truly safe? Many of us assume so simply because they are marketed for children. In reality, the toy industry is flooded with uncertified, unsafe products—especially in India’s unregulated retail spaces.
Are the toys you buy for your kids truly safe? 🧸 Many cheap, uncertified toys can be dangerous—even fatal. In this episode, Veteran Journali
Veteran consumer journalist Pushpa Girimaji, with 47 years of experience in consumer rights advocacy, raises a crucial red flag: not all toys are safe, and parents need to be more vigilant.
Blind Trust in Toys: A Dangerous Assumption
Every parent wants to see their child happy. When children ask for a toy, we often hand it over without a second thought. But what kind of materials are being used? Is the toy age-appropriate? Is it certified? Most importantly—is it safe?
Many toys, especially those sold in local fairs or roadside stalls, are sold without proper certification. They come without bills, receipts, or warranties. The assumption is that because they’re cheap and fun, they must be harmless. But that’s a false sense of security.
The ISI Mark: More Than Just a Symbol
India’s Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has developed seven safety standards specifically for toys—covering different materials like plastics, fabric, paints, and design elements. A toy with an ISI mark indicates that it complies with these mandatory safety protocols.
Consumers can verify the ISI mark using the BIS app by entering the license number printed on the packaging. This step ensures the product is genuinely certified and not a counterfeit.
But in practice, how many parents actually do this?
The Tragedy Behind Tiny Toys
In rural areas, especially among low-income communities, manufacturers often target families with snack packets priced at just ₹5 that include a tiny plastic toy inside. The toy may be poorly made, toxic, and small enough to cause choking hazards.
There have been several tragic incidents where children unknowingly swallowed these toys—some cases even resulted in death.
These products are neither regulated nor labeled appropriately. Most don’t mention any age restrictions or safety warnings. Despite FSSAI guidelines urging clear labeling and safe separation of toys and food items, enforcement remains poor.
Small Parts, Big Problems
Many toys have detachable parts—buttons, batteries, or miniature accessories—that toddlers can easily swallow or insert into their ears or noses. Button batteries, especially, are highly dangerous and can cause serious internal burns if ingested.
There are also concerns regarding toxic paints and unsafe plastics. Manufacturers, driven by profit, often cut corners and use substandard materials without regard for health impacts.
This is where BIS safety standards step in—regulating everything from chemical compositions to the mechanical structure of toys.
What Can Parents Do?
1. Check the ISI mark – This should be your first filter while buying toys.
2. Use the BIS app – Validate the license number printed on the packaging.
3. Avoid unlabelled or age-inappropriate toys – Even if they seem harmless, avoid toys without age group indications.
4. Avoid buying from unverified sources – If there's no bill or receipt, you lose all consumer rights if something goes wrong.
5. Educate others – Spread awareness among fellow parents, especially in semi-urban and rural areas.
The Legal Backbone: Consumer Rights
What if the toy is defective or causes harm?
Consumers have the right to report issues through the BIS app. If it is a case of manufacturing defect, BIS can trigger a product recall and ensure that replacements or refunds are issued. But without a purchase receipt, legal action becomes difficult.
This applies not just to toys, but to all consumer products—from electronics to vehicles. Major car manufacturers often recall batches if a component is defective. The same principle applies to all goods.
Personal Incidents That Reflect A Bigger Problem
Pushpa Girimaji shared how a scooter she once bought had misaligned rearview mirrors from day one. Despite multiple service attempts, the issue persisted—until it was recognized as a manufacturing defect. But she, like many consumers, didn’t know she could take the issue to consumer court.
Similarly, a mobile phone she purchased shut down suddenly, wiping all her stored data. Though it was outside the warranty period, it still qualified for redress if it was due to faulty design or manufacture.
These cases are common but rarely pursued—because consumers don’t know their rights.
The Importance of Meaningful Compensation
Most companies, when caught, offer token compensations—₹5,000, ₹10,000, maybe ₹20,000. But these amounts are insignificant compared to the emotional damage caused or the profit these companies make.
In the landmark Supreme Court case Lucknow Development Authority vs M.K. Gupta, the court ruled that compensation should be enough to:
Satisfy the affected consumer
Act as a deterrent for the manufacturer
The goal of compensation is not just to repay money—it is to acknowledge suffering, prevent recurrence, and encourage accountability.
Final Thoughts
Toy safety isn’t a luxury—it’s a fundamental right for children and a critical responsibility for parents. Awareness is the first step toward safety. Every rupee you spend on a toy should be an informed decision.
Remember:
Just because it looks fun doesn’t mean it’s safe
Just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean it’s harmless
Just because it’s for children doesn’t mean it’s child-safe
Let’s create a culture of conscious parenting and informed consumerism—for the sake of our children and generations to come.