Safety warning given for children’s jewellery

Harmful amounts of lead were found in some children’s jewellery purchased online.

West Sussex Trading Standards is urging the public to take extra care when purchasing jewellery online for children.

It comes as excessive amounts of heavy metals were uncovered in recent testing of children’s jewellery bought online which can be harmful to health.

Trading standards is issuing the warning as part of Child Safety Week (5-12 June).

One item of children’s jewellery the team purchased online was found to contain over 50 times the legal limit of lead levels.

This dangerous volume of metal can leach into the child’s skin and enter their bloodstream.

Trading Standards examined nine other shop-bought jewellery items. All tested as satisfactory.

Debbie Kennard, West Sussex county council cabinet member for Safer, Stronger Communities, said: “Take your time to do your research before buying any jewellery online, especially for a child.

“If in doubt then make sure you buy from a retailer you know and trust. It is even better if you can inspect the item first-hand. If you can, buy or bid for new items which are in their original packaging. This also means they don’t carry a hygiene risk.”