Parents warned about safety of face masks being sold with embellishments and dummies attached
It is now mandatory to wear a face mask in shops and supermarkets in England Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN - Credit: Archant
Parents are being warned not to put face coverings and masks on young children - especially those with embellishments, dummies and ribbons attached.
From today shoppers in Suffolk are required by law to wear a face covering in shops and supermarkets and can be fined £100 if they are not wearing one.
MORE: Shops open for first day of ‘new normal’ as face covering rules come into action
However, the rules do not apply to children under the age of 11 while official guidance published by Public Health England states that face coverings and masks should never be used by children under the age of three over fears they could cause a choking hazard to lead to suffocation.
Despite this, several masks have been seen for sale online that are designed especially for younger children that are decorated with gems, ribbons and other embellishments to make them more appealing to youngsters.
Some even have dummies attached and are being marketed at those with very small babies.
Suffolk Trading Standards is warning parents not to buy these types of face coverings, and not to use them if they have purchased them.
A spokesman said: “There is much being shared across social media and in the press about face coverings and masks available for babies. Many of these have been shown to have embellishments, dummies and long attachments, all of which are a safety hazard.”
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Parents are also reminded that face coverings for children should be secured to the head using ear loops only.
There are a number of ways to make an effective face covering from home, including using a sock, tee-shirt or piece of fabric.
A number of Suffolk businesses are also making them for a small charge in a range of patterns, sizes and styles.
If you have any concerns or require advice about the sale of face coverings or face masks, call Suffolk Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer on 0808 223 1133.
MORE: Face masks made compulsory in shops – everything you need to know
If you have any concerns or require advice about the sale of face coverings or face masks, call Suffolk Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer on 0808 223 1133.
