Aussie boy's horrific injuries after popular toy 'explodes': 'A real shock'
An 11-year-old boy has sustained horrific burns after a popular toy containing gunpowder "exploded" in his hands.
Logan Dyson from High Wycombe, Perth, was "opening a packet of ring caps to load into his cap gun when several of the capsules exploded," the Government of Western Australia Department of Industry Regulation and Safety said.
He was rushed to hospital and treated for second-degree burns which covered his right hand.
An investigation is now underway as to whether the popular Halloween toy is faulty, or if it was a one-off occurrence.
The boy's mother Vicki Bowden told Seven News that "it was a real shock".
"We’ve used these for years as have thousands of people so for us to have it happen," she said.
WA Consumer Protection has pulled the product from the shelves as they investigate the "Halloween-related incident".
"We need to establish very quickly if this incident is a one-off occurrence or if there is something fundamentally wrong with the product or its packaging that might render it dangerous to others," Consumer Protection acting executive director Penny Lipscombe said.
"We will be reporting the results of our investigation to the ACCC which is the national agency that oversees product safety in Australia. In the meantime, the retailer has voluntarily removed the product from sale both in-store and online."
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Warning to parents ahead of Halloween
The incident led to broader concerns about Halloween novelty toys and costumes as October 31st approaches.
"Novelties that light up and flashing objects such as jack-o-lanterns, cauldrons, fake candles, torches and wands are often powered by button batteries and unfortunately the statistics on button batteries are concerning," Ms Lipscombe added.
"In Australia, one child a month is seriously injured after swallowing or inserting a button battery, with some of them sustaining lifelong or even fatal injuries."
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