SPOKANE, Wash. – As Christmas approaches, families are being cautioned about the potential dangers of counterfeit toys, especially through one-click online purchases.
Earlier this year, issues arose with counterfeit versions of popular toys such as the Labubus monster plushies. Legitimate versions of these toys can cost as much as $1,000 on Amazon, prompting many to seek cheaper alternatives. However, these counterfeit toys often lack the rigorous safety testing of genuine products.
The Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) advises parents to be vigilant. They recommend looking for UL safety marks on electrical toys, which indicate adherence to safety, quality or security standards.
Additionally, products labeled as ‘non-toxic’ are recommended, but the government does not track counterfeit toys.
“The issues with the counterfeit toys is that they aren’t going through a lot of safety processes that we already have in place,” said SRHD spokesperson Deanna Stark. “So that’s why we have those certifications and the commission looks at all the safety rules so those don’t hopefully slip through.”
To ensure toy safety, parents are encouraged to shop from trusted sources. This includes visiting the official websites of toy brands to find recommended retailers and sticking with reputable stores.
Double-checking labels, packaging and reading reviews are also advised to avoid counterfeit products.
