Press Release
Trading Standards warning about bling dummies
The Council's Trading Standards Service is warning that bling dummies may pose a serious risk of chokingfor babies and small children and should be removed from use immediately.
Bling dummies are part of a fashion-led craze for customising babies' dummiesand other childcare products by gluing on coloured gems.
This appears to be a growing cottage industry, where manufactured dummies arebought and then adorned with various gems - from plastic to crystal - in a variety of colours.
Many of the people doing this may not realise the seriousness of their actions.
Trading Standards are aware that dummies have been customised in Shetland and have been sold locally, and similar items are widely available on the internet.
These products present a choking hazard, because the gems may become detached.
Single gems which detach may be inhaled and become lodged in a child's lungs. There is also a risk of several gems breaking off together and forming a clump, which could block the airways. Some dummies may have gems partly obscuring the air holes in the soother.
Babies' dummies are manufactured to high safety standards, and are sold with specific safety warnings. One of these (in the interests of hygiene) is "to place the soother in boiling water for five minutes before first use" - which is likely to weaken the glue holding the gems in place.
These customised dummies,and other childcare products such as dummy clips, baby bottles and feeding bowls,should not be confused with novelty childcare items manufactured by reputable companies which do meet the necessary safety standards.
David Marsh, Trading Standards Service Manager, says: "Do not be tempted to give a bling dummy to a baby this Christmas. If your baby receives one in a present, do not allow them to use it. And if you've got a business idea, do get in touch with us so that we can help you to get things right and avoid problems later on."
Consumer and business advice is always available at www.shetland.gov.uk/tradingstandards, or by contacting Trading Standards at the Council's Grantfield office on 01595 744887.