With the arrival of the Christmas holidays, among lights, decorations and last minute gifts, there is also another phenomenon that unfortunately is growing again, that of counterfeit goods and potentially dangerous products, in particular fireworks and toys intended for children. An important call for caution comes from Parma, where the Guardia di Finanza has seized thousands of illegal products.
Let’s see what happened and above all how to protect ourselves when we buy fireworks or products intended for children.
The maxi kidnapping in Parma
During checks aimed at product safety, intensified in view of Christmas, the Provincial Command of the Guardia di Finanza of Parma seized 54,264 pyrotechnic articles including flares, firecrackers and pyrotechnic fountains, all without the necessary authorizations and kept in violation of safety regulations.
The soldiers of the Parma Group carried out simultaneous access to two Chinese emporiums attributable to the same management, one in the city and one in Felino. Here they found fireworks stored in a dangerous way, without correct labeling and offered for sale without licenses: a mix that represents a real risk not only for customers, but also for those who work in the shops.
During the inspection, 235 presumably counterfeit “Labubu” plush toys also turned up, imitations of the famous puppets created from the idea of a Hong Kong artist and distributed worldwide by Pop Mart. Prices that were too low, poor materials and suspicious packaging immediately raised doubts about provenance and authenticity.
All the goods were seized and the owner was reported for crimes ranging from trading in products with false signs to receiving stolen goods, as well as illegal trading in explosive materials. As always, it is important to remember that the presumption of innocence applies until the final judgment.
Why counterfeit and unauthorized fires are so dangerous
Every year non-compliant fires and firecrackers cause burns, amputations, fires and accidents that could easily be avoided. Regular pyrotechnic articles must comply with very rigorous standards: from the quantity and type of explosive used to the materials with which they are made, through to the stability of the product, the ignition methods and the safety tests necessary to obtain certifications.
However, when you buy fires in unauthorized shops, you run the risk of bringing home items that are too powerful or unstable, with unpredictable lighting times and without clear instructions. They are often made with flammable or toxic materials and stored incorrectly, factors that make them even more dangerous.
In this case, the GdF found real “improvised warehouses” where the products were crammed without any safety measures, a real danger for everyone.
Counterfeit soft toys are also risky
Fake toys are not just a scam but can become a real danger to children’s health. A counterfeit soft toy can be made with non-fireproof materials or potentially toxic dyes, and often has parts that come off easily, with the risk of little ones ingesting them. The padding is also an unknown, it can be of poor quality or even contaminated.
In addition to the safety risks, there is an ethical aspect that should not be underestimated: purchasing non-original products means feeding opaque supply chains, which very often respect neither workers nor the environment.
How to recognize safe fireworks
If you want to buy pyrotechnics for the holidays, here are the essential elements to check on the packaging:
CE mark
It must be clearly visible and accompanied by the number of the notified body (e.g. CE 1234).
Product category
There are F1, F2, F3 or F4. For domestic use only F1 (very low risk) and F2 (low risk) are permitted.
Manufacturer or importer data
Name, address and contact details of the responsible company.
Instructions for use in Italian
Clear, legible, with safety distance, ignition mode and warnings.
Production date
Some pyrotechnic products have a limited shelf life and should not be stored for long years.
Intact packaging
Never purchase items with damaged or manipulated packaging. Finally, it is advisable to buy fires only from authorized retailers, being wary of prices that are too low.
What about toys?
Safe toys: what to pay attention to on the label
When choosing a toy for a child, always check:
Even in the case of toys, it is better to always buy in reliable shops and official channels.
