Chocking Hazard Crayons from Smyths Toys

[Auntiefifi]

Hello, I am a great-aunty to a lively 3-year-old and 2 grown-up boys. He (my nephew) got some crayons from Smyths Toys, and I noticed that the lids do not have holes in them.

I am an 80's baby and remember when this was a big thing as some kids swallowed pen lids and died. So, since then all/most pen lids have a hole to reduce the risk if they are swallowed.

I contacted Smyths as I thought it was odd they didn't have holes and was told that they meet safety standards! AIBU? why do crayons even need lids? It's not like they are going to dry out!

The thought of some poor kid accidentally swallowing a lids and not being able to breathe is really upsetting.

What can I do? As I feel really strongly about it and Smyths don't care.

I thought only toys aimed at DC younger than 3 need to be safe from choking, as after that they aren't expected to put things in their mouth?

The rules for toy safety change at the age of 3. These are clearly marked for over the age of 3.

You can find all the toy safety regulations on the link below.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/toys-safety-regulations-2011/toys-safety-regulations-2011-great-britain

They’re for 3+ so don’t need a hole in the lid as children of that age should know not to put lids in their mouths, they also need a lid so they don’t get left extended out and snap.

Maybe that's it

It does say choking hazard not suitable for children under 3 years

So maybe that's the rule?

I'm surprised, I thought it was the law because it's so universal that lids have holes. A standard bic biro certainly isn't marketed as a children's pen for under 3s but they all have holes in the cap, I'm not sure saying it's for 3+ is good enough.

A quick google tells me there is BS7272 which covers marking instruments that may be used by people aged up to 14, which these certainly would be. But I can't see the actual text of the standard without paying for it.

Small children should always be supervised when using pens crayons etc! When will entitled people stop blaming everyone else for their own lack of parenting?!

The thought of some poor kid accidentally swallowing a lids and not being able to breathe is really upsetting.

Same for a marble, a Lego helmet, a Barbie shoe, water beads, a Miniverse teapot, Polly Pocket pets, a Sylvanian Families ice cream set, a single jellybean, small squishies and million other small things sold in Smyths which aren't targeted at kids under three. Sounds like a lot of manufactured outrage here. If you genuinely can't look at a pen lid without thinking of a dying child, then you may need professional help with intrusive thoughts.

Ok, I will take on board ALL the comments and admit defeat. Just to point out that I can indeed look at a pen lid without thinking of a child dying!
I was around in the 90's when kids over the age of 3 swallowed them (for whatever reason) and died and how it was a massive story in the UK. So maybe a little more sensitive to the subject than most.

I agree with you @Auntiefifi
It’s bizarre they have stopped putting holes in the lids, and so unnecessary not to do so. Children over the age of 3 do put things in their mouths and not to invoke such a simple life saving procedure during manufacturing seems bonkers to me too.

@JaffavsCookie Thanks. I didn't know it wasn't law any more as the pens I buy (adult ones!) still have the holes!

But those look like really wide lids as well. I cant see how they would fit down a child's throat.

Also, a hole would defeat the purpose of a lid. They're not like pens, they would dry out if left exposed.

Billy Walker age 11, died in 1987 from choking on a Bic pen top.

https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1988/jul/22/pen-tops

Bic first added a hole to pen lids in 1991. This was done to improve airflow and prevent choking if the cap were to be accidentally swallowed.

No they don't dry out, you have the seal over the part that dries out for pens like this, then holes elsewhere, all felt tips, biros etc used to have holes in the lids.

I swallowed a pen lid when I was older than 3

But as others have said, it's labelled as 3+ and plenty of items aimed at 3+ are a choking hazard which could block a throat. Like a Lego brick