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US product safety commission warns that fidget spinners explode, so don't lick them

US product safety commission warns that fidget spinners explode, so don't lick them

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Also, make sure your smoke alarms work

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Fidget spinners have exploded onto the gadget scene over the past few months — not just in the growth sense of the word, but quite literally. That’s why the US Consumer Product Safety Commission today released guidelines for both manufacturers and consumers on how to have a safe time around fidget spinners, particularly ones that contain metal and / or batteries.

For consumers, the CPSC recommends that fidget spinner users avoid playing with them around their faces or putting them in their mouths. It also recommends not letting children under the age of three play with a fidget spinner. When it comes to battery-operated fidget spinners, the CPSC suggests users should be monitoring the device when it’s charging, specifically noting that one should not charge the toy overnight while they’re sleeping. To be extra safe, the Commission adds that a smoke alarm should be installed, just in case.

a smoke alarm should be installed, just in case

The business guidance, on the other hand, defines everything from what’s considered a fidget spinner to the requirements the products need to meet before being certified safe for consumers. According to the CPSC, fidget spinners that are intended for use by children ages 13 and younger will need a Children’s Product Certificate. This means it should not have any parts that can be considered a choking hazard or use lead-containing paint, among other requirements.

The requirements are pretty similar to guidelines for other popular toys, but the TL;DR of it is: use basic logic. Don’t stick random toys in your mouth, and be careful about batteries overheating when charging your gadgets. You don’t want to be that kid who licked a fidget spinner and chipped their tooth (a real report filed to the CPSC in May).

And if you have any other concerns, we refer you to this CPSC prose to “live your truth” when it comes to this trendy toy.