DERRY City and Strabane District Council has urged traders and businesses to be vigilant of non-compliant products over the festive period and have urged them to put safety top of their Christmas list.
The message comes as inspectors from the Council’s Environmental Health Department carry out Product Safety Blitz across the Council area to identify unsafe goods such as dangerous toys, and ensure they are not placed in the market.
Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Head of Community and Well-Being, Seamus Donaghy says officers at the Council’s Environmental Health Service says Council is working to ensure compliance and to raise awareness of the dangers of buying non-compliant toys or gifts.
“The Council is more than happy to provide advice and support to local businesses and traders to ensure compliance.
“We recommend that businesses consult the guidance available, however we appreciate this is general information and Officers from the Environmental Health Service are available to provide specific advice tailored to your stall/ product you may wish to place on the market.
“We regularly update the Council website with information to alert licensed stalls/venues and consumers of the dangers associated with non-compliant products and key areas to look out for when buying goods during this festive period.
“We would also encourage shoppers to only purchase goods from a reputable supplier and to always obtain test certificates for appropriate products, instructions and to retain invoices for traceability.
“We would advise you to examine goods to see if they carry any safety symbols or signs, for example a CE Mark (this should be found on all toys, electrical products, machinery, personal protective equipment and gas appliances.”
He added that while safety is important throughout the year, the extra distractions of Christmas make it especially important to stay safe during the festive season and that the onus is on everyone to ensure we all have a safe and happy Christmas.
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