MANY of the 'fidget spinner' toys on sale in Worcestershire do not meet required safety standards, it has been revealed.

People and businesses in the county are being warned against purchasing poor quality spinners after recent tests highlighted potential safety issues.

Children – and many adults too – have been scrabbling to get their hands on the must-have 'stress relieving' spinning toys over the last few months.

But a recent survey of retailers conducted by Worcestershire Trading Standards revealed that a high proportion of products did not have the correct safety labelling and warnings and some had parts which detached during safety testing.

The spinners were originally intended as a therapeutic tool for children who struggled to concentrate in class but they are now produced and marketed as toys and should comply with Toy Safety Regulations.

Trading Standards officials in Worcestershire say choking on small toy parts is a particular safety risk and the law requires warning labels on toys for children under 36 months old.

The sheer variety of spinners available on the market means that sellers and buyers should also look out for issues such as sharp edges and LED lights containing Lithium-ion batteries, they add.

These batteries, if ingested, can cause internal bleeding and should be secured in a compartment that children cannot get into.

Cllr Lucy Hodgson, cabinet member with responsibility for communities at Worcestershire County Council, said: “These spinners have really caught on and are obviously fun to use.

"What we don’t want to see is that fun ruined by serious injury or worse and so we are urging sellers to ensure their products are safe and parents to be aware of potential problems.”

To report a spinner incident, visit worcestershireTS.gov.uk or for consumer advice on your rights, contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.

Top tips from Trading Standards officers to ensure your spinner is safe:

- Only buy from a reputable source.

- Check that the spinner has a CE mark & age restriction warning

- Return toys to sellers if safety warnings are not present, as the spinner could be unsafe

- Make sure there are no loose parts

- Only allow children over 3 years to use a spinner

- If a toy is or becomes broken, throw it away or return to the seller if it's not fit for purpose or defective