North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue issue safety warning over second hand toys
It's as more families look for cheaper ways to entertain their children
There's a safety warning for North Yorkshire families looking to save money by buying second hand toys.
As the cost of living soars it's thought more parents will be scrambling for cheaper ways of entertaining the kids.
Adam Farrow is from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue: "You never really know the full history of it, if there has been any issues with it, or any recall notices, so we advise caution. We say don't do it, but we just advise caution, read up on that model, brand, serial number on the device."
"Always buy something that has got a standard certificate mark, a CE label if possible, or a British standard, if you are buying something it's just about making sure it's safe. You don't know the history if it is second hand.
"Parent priced out of entertaining their kids"
That warning comes as new research has revealed that one in five parents fear they'll be ‘priced out’ of entertaining their kids over the summer holidays
A poll of 1,000 mums and dads with kids aged 4-16 found just over half are having to rethink their plans entirely due to rising costs.
In the past, they've sent their children to playschemes, summer camps and football training schools - but for many kids, such activities are likely to be off the cards.
But this isn't where their problems end - if they can't afford options like these, parents will need to take time off work - something 77 per cent of those affected can't afford to do.
And 61 per cent admit they are limited by how much annual leave they can take.
The research, from global online review platform, Trustpilot, also found the cost of summer is what is worrying parents most about the upcoming school holiday (32 per cent).
But 30 per cent have concerns about how much screen time their children will be exposed to, and 22 per cent will feel guilty if they haven’t organised enough activities.
Nearly a fifth (18 per cent) can’t bear the thought of giving their child a ‘disappointing’ summer, and 16 per cent fret about how they’ll work from home with kids running around.
In general, 62 per cent of those polled are finding this year difficult when it comes to monetary costs, with 11 per cent of these calling it ‘very difficult’.