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Retailers across North Wales are bracing themselves for what is expected to be the busiest shopping weekend of the year.

On Saturday, thousands of shoppers are expected to descend on town and city centres to pick up last-minute Christmas gifts.

However, how can we be sure what we are buying is above board and safe?

Reporter Sarah Hodgson spent an afternoon with the Flintshire Trading Standards to find out what the team do to keep counterfeit and unsafe goods off the streets.

The team test anything from small Christmas decorations and lights to toys and even cars.

Team leader of the compliance team environment and planning directorate Lisa Mitchell says a number of checks are carried out on items.

Her team of five look for safety markings such as the CE mark, check stitching on clothes and toys as well as making sure items don’t have loose parts that could cause a choking hazard.

Team leader of investigations environment and planning directorate Richard Powell says that the team are no busier during the festive period than usual.

He said: “We don’t really see an increase in work over Christmas, we’re busy all year around. We’re acting on intelligence and information all over the year.”

In the run up to Christmas teams across North Wales have been testing Christmas ornaments that may appeal to small children and are also on the look out for fake toys from Disney’s Frozen.

Richard said: “People definitely take advantage of the latest trends and crazes and they have just leaped onto Frozen straight away.”

Of particular concern at the moment are Frozen branded wristbands that have been found in other parts of the country that are counterfeit and have been made from measuring tapes which are sharp and could potentially slash a child’s wrist.

With the rise of online shopping, there is more choice now than ever before about where and how to buy and Richard and Lisa are warning of the dangers of purchasing from websites such as eBay and on Facebook.

Richard said: “We’d advise anyone to be careful when thinking about buying items online. Facebook is a real problem as you never really know who you are buying for and it’s not the same as going into a shop. It can be really difficult for us to track down sellers on Facebook as it’s hard finding out who controls the account and an account can be deleted very easily.”

He also told how frustrating it can be for the team when people buy fake or dangerous goods from eBay as their powers are ‘limited’.

“eBay is a particular issue, there are a lot of sellers on there from the Far East like China, and we have very limited powers if the items are not from the UK. I would just advice people on eBay to do a bit of research on their sellers and find out where they are based. There’s not much we can do and then often people end up out of pocket.” He said.

Lisa is keen to stress that while they do take a small minority of businesses to court over unsafe or counterfeit goods, the real emphasis is on education.

She said: “We really encourage businesses to get in touch and work with us, particularly if they are developing new products as we can offer lots of advice.”

Lisa added: “Some people honestly don’t realise that their product could be dangerous and they just need a helping hand. Advising and assisting and publicising issues is just as satisfying for me, perhaps even more so, than getting a conviction. We only take people through the courts if we feel they have been reckless or are deliberately ignoring their responsibilties.”

Richard’s main message to everyone buying gifts this Christmas and beyond is simple. “If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.”

If you have concerns over anything you have purchased call the consumer helpline on 03454 040506.

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