Consumers Urged To Know Their Rights

People who are finishing up their Christmas shopping as the festive season draws nearer have been urged by a lawyer at Irwin Mitchell to buy sensibly.

Katrina Elsey from the national law firm’s Public Liability Team has called on parents and other adults to ensure they are fully aware of safety standards and their consumer rights as they buy toys for youngsters.

The expert, who regularly deals with cases linked to faulty products, has said some awareness of the standards in place will ensure families get to enjoy a relaxing time over the upcoming Christmas period.

She explained: “The festive period may be fun, but it is also a time for parents and other consumers to be vigilant when purchasing presents, particularly as some can turn out to be unsuitable for youngsters and may lead to injury.”

Irwin Mitchell’s main piece of advice for those purchasing toys is to ensure they carry the CE marking, which means they meet European standards. Another important issue to bear in mind is the age recommendations on certain gifts, as this could impact on the suitability of the item for a child.

Katrina added: “The Consumer Protection Act 1987 provides particularly safety for consumers who are purchasing goods over the festive period and it can be useful for customers to know their rights when finishing off their shopping this year.”