Edinburgh trading standards officers yesterday warned parents about the dangers of substandard 'baby bling' products.
Home-workers are believed to be using imitation gems to customise babies' and toddlers' 'dummies, dummy clips, bottles, feeding equipment, and even shoes and sunglasses'.
Whilst such accessories may confer a certain Billericay glamour on these infants, they also expose them to the risk of swallowing or inhaling poorly attached components.
Toxic glue may also soften during sterilisation and be ingested.
The recent craze for 'baby bling' products started with items being exchanged in Edinburgh between friends and relations, but soon blossomed into a cottage industry. The goods are now retailed via social media and online auction sites.
Those making the accessories probably aren't aware of strict safety standards regulating the manufacture of dummies and feeding equipment. Or of the fact that anyone found selling them could be fined up to £20,000.
Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact Citizens Advice Direct on Tel. 08454 04 05 06.
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