Safety first: Parents are reminded to be cautious when choosing festive toys like lanterns and light sticks for their children during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Parents should beware of the potential hazards of battery-operated toy lanterns and light sticks and be cautious when selecting these festive toys for their children.

Making the appeal today, the Customs & Excise Department said that last year 61 spot checks on various retailers were conducted and 17 festive toy samples failed safety standards.

The samples either did not carry the required instructions on safe battery usage or the required identification markings on the packaging.

Non-compliant battery-operated toy lanterns and light sticks can cause burns from battery overheating or leakage.

Other common hazards include choking on or swallowing batteries or small loose parts, and lacerations from sharp edges or pointed projections. Continuous bending of light sticks can cause leakage of chemical contents and lead to irritation of a person's skin and eyes.

While the department has not received complaints about suspected unsafe toy lanterns and light sticks this year, some 108 spot checks have been carried out.

Ten models of battery-operated toy lanterns and seven models of light sticks are being tested at the Government Laboratory for compliance with the prescribed toys standards.

The department advises people:

* To not let children under three play with battery-operated toy lanterns and light sticks without close supervision;

* To follow instructions on usage;

* To look for warning labels on the festive toys and pay special attention to the advice;

* To not to bend the light sticks after activation;

* If a user accidentally makes contact with the chemical inside a light stick, they should rinse with water and seek medical advice; and,

* Dispose of the light stick immediately once its light fades.

To protect consumer interests, the department will prosecute and serve written warnings to companies and retailers who supply unsafe products.