Fidget spinners continue to dominate the back-to-school market, but the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is trying to reduce safety risks with new safety guidelines.
After reports of children choking on the fidget spinner’s smaller components, as well as battery-operated fidget spinners igniting into flames, the CPSC is trying to warn the public of the toy’s dangers.
“Fidget spinners can be fun to use, but consumers and companies should be aware of some of the safety concerns associated with this product,” Ann Marie Buerkle, acting chairwoman of the CPSC, said in a statement.
The guidelines dictate that the plastic and metal fidget spinners may break and release small pieces that pose choking hazards. Therefore, children under the age of three should not be allowed to use them, and no child should put the fidget spinner in his/her mouth.
In response to the threat of spontaneous fires, the CPSC recommends that consumers do not leave their fidget spinners unattended while charging, and that they should always use the cable included with the toy. If the fidget spinner does not include its own cable, consumers must ensure the cable they purchase as the correct connections for the device. After the device finishes charging, consumers must unplug the device immediately.
If the fidget spinner is intended for children under 12, it must meet another set of criteria, including limits for phthalates, lead content and lead in paint, as well as the U.S. Toy Standard, ASTM F963-16.
For more information, visit the CPSC’s Fidget Spinners Information Center.