The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has produced a safety guidance “information center” regarding the popular toys known as fidget spinners.
In May, a 10-year-old girl was forced to have a piece of one fidget spinner surgically removed from her throat after choking on it. But apart from the typical warnings about choking hazards, battery-powered versions have also been found to melt and catch fire.
A summary warning from Acting Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission Ann Marie Buerkle advised both “fidget spinner users” and “potential buyers” to take appropriate precautions. Namely, to keep them from small children, as “the plastic and metal spinners can break and release small pieces that can be a choking hazard.”
Regarding reports of the toys going in up literal flames, Buerkle said that “consumers should be present and pay attention to their devices while charging them,” as well as warning that their respective charging cables are “NOT interchangeable.” Previously the same organization warned against fidget spinners with bluetooth-connected speakers, which in some cases caught on fire.
Russia has issued its own warnings on fidget spinners.
Manufacturers and distributors are encouraged to review the US CPSC Fidget Spinner Business Guide, while consumers are directed to the aforementioned Fidget Spinners Information Center. Anyone who has an incident with a fidget spinner can report the incident at SaferProducts.gov.
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