The Consumers Association of Penang calls on the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry to conduct a nationwide check and recall of products sold in the market which are injurious to children.

Last week, an eight-year-old child ( left ) in Kuala Lumpur severely injured his thumb requiring stitches when the glass windscreen of his so-called pencil box broke and cut through his thumb causing serious injury.

The ministry must be commended for its efforts in coming out with safety standards for toys which will be enforced beginning July this year but these standards should also be extended to all products used by children.

CAP believes that many such accidents and injuries must have happend and may have gone unreported. Many such products that are unsafe can be seen flooding the market and if no immediate action is taken to check on these products, the safety of our children is at risk.

Parents are advised not to purchase such unsafe items for their children and instead should look for more safe, simple and conventional products as in the case of pencil cases.

CAP reiterates its call to the Donestic Trade Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry to immediately conduct a nationwide check on all these unsafe products and to come out with stringent safety laws to protect consumers.

The writer is president, Consumers Association of Penang.