We’ve had Elsa dolls and Hatchimals, but undoubtedly, the biggest craze of this summer has to be the fidget spinner.
First created as a gadget to soothe children with surplus energy, the fidget spinner soon hit the mainstream and became the number one demand of little ones the world over.
Every toy you give to your child carries some form of danger, and the first reports of concern regarding the fidget spinner emerged after a child swallowed one.
Kelly Rose Joniec’s daughter ended up in hospital, with a fidget spinner lodged in her throat, and had to undergo an invasive procedure to have it removed.
When her little girl was safe again, Kelly took to social media to send out a safety warning about the latest toy craze.
This has now been echoed by authorities in the UK, amid fears that certain models of the toy pose serious health risks.
Representatives from Bath and North East Somerset Council have spoken out as thousands of fidget spinners were taken off the market.
The fidget spinners in question are those containing LED lights which, in turn, contain lithium-ion batteries. These batteries could cause choking and internal bleeding if swallowed.
In a statement, Councillor Martin Veale said: “For public safety, it’s only right that they be withdrawn from sale. Anyone buying a fidget spinner should purchase it from a reputable trader and ensure the safety warnings can be clearly seen on the packaging.”
The fidget spinner is the brainchild of Catherine Hettinger, who came up with the idea after seeing children throwing stones at a police officer all the way back in the ‘80s.
At the time, Catherine knew that there must be a better way for children with excess energy to focus, and so the fidget spinner was born.
Catherine insists that the fidget spinner was created ‘as a way of promoting peace’; and while she hasn’t made a cent from their rise in popularity, she is ‘thrilled’ that they are delighting children all over the world.
The fidget spinner really rose to prominence earlier this year, overtaking Hatchimals as the must-have toy. They have been in-demand ever since, with children and adults alike collecting them in various colours and designs.
As much as your household may love the fidget spinner, this latest warning is definitely worth paying heed to.
