Locals on the Hibiscus Coast are being urged to check their toy collections following a recent safety warning from the Commerce Commission.

The concern revolves around the "Roo Crew Take-Apart Vehicle Toys," sold by The Warehouse, which may pose a serious risk to young children.

The Commerce Commission is set to file criminal charges against The Warehouse Limited, accusing the retailer of selling a product that does not meet New Zealand’s strict safety standards for children's toys.

According to the Commission, these toys may present a choking hazard, particularly to children under the age of three.

“Businesses must ensure that the products they supply comply with legal requirements and are safe for the intended user—particularly toys for small children where the consequences of unsafe toys can be dire,” says Grant McIntosh, Principal Compliance Adviser at the Commerce Commission.

Toys marketed for children under three years old must comply with safety standards outlined in the Fair Trading Act.

These standards prohibit toys with small parts or pieces that could come loose during play, as they can pose a significant choking hazard.

The Commission believes that the "Roo Crew Take-Apart Vehicle Toys" were designed and marketed for young children, despite being labelled for children over three.

“Businesses cannot avoid their responsibility under the Fair Trading Act by simply labelling toys for children over three if the toy is designed or marketed for use by younger children,” McIntosh adds.

In response, The Warehouse has issued a voluntary recall of the product and is offering full refunds to customers who return the toys.

McIntosh encourages any parents with these toys to take immediate action: “We urge all parents who may have these toys to return them—the dollar value of the toy might be small, but the risk of harm to young children is not worth taking.”

Due to the upcoming legal proceedings, the Commerce Commission has indicated they will not be providing further information at this stage.