Cheap teething bracelets a '˜serious risk' to babies and toddlers

Cheap '˜teething bracelets' made of amber pose a serious risk to babies and toddlers, West Sussex's Trading Standards have warned.
Stephen Hillier, Cabinet Member for Children  Start of LifeStephen Hillier, Cabinet Member for Children  Start of Life
Stephen Hillier, Cabinet Member for Children  Start of Life

The products are being sold as necklaces, bracelets and anklets, often with claims of calming and soothing teething children.

West Sussex Trading Standards officers tested a teething bracelet and found:

• The items were a choking hazard

• The elastic on all the items broke easily

• The individual amber beads also pose a choking hazard

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Peter Aston, Trading Standards team manager, said: “Through our testing we found that these items could be a real choking hazard because they could potentially be caught in a child’s throat.

“We are in the process of approaching the main internet retailers to remove these items from sale as they are incredibly unsafe for young children.”

Two sellers in West Sussex are being investigated for their supply. Both have now stopped selling the products.

David Barling, West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “Parents and guardians must not leave their child unattended with an amber product, regardless of whether it is a bracelet, necklace or an anklet, as they are potentially very dangerous.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“If you need to calm or sooth a teething child please seek the advice of your GP or health visitor.”

The warning comes during Child Safety Week’ which is organised by the Child Accident Prevention Trust.

The theme this year is ‘turn off technology’, focusing on what children may be doing while parents are distracted by their smartphones.

To report amber products available in West Sussex aimed at or are only able to be worn by children, let Trading Standards know via Citizens Advice on 03454 040506 or online at www.westsussex.gov.uk/tsreport

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.