Despite being called "harmless merrymakers", children still need adults supervision when playing with light-up hand clappers, spinning pens and wands, and the substitute noisemaker "torotot", an environment and toxic watchdog stressed.

In a statement, EcoWaste Coalition National Coordinator Aileen Lucero warned that those labeled as harmless alternative merrymakers used during the New Year’s Eve revelry "may contain loosely attached parts that can get disconnected and swallowed by a child posing choking, internal burn and/or chemical hazard."

“Parents and other adults should see to it that such merrymakers are well-made and that kids are informed and supervised on their safe use," she maintained.

In its latest market monitoring, the group found light-up hand clappers, spinning pens, and wands with button cell battery compartments that can be easily broken or opened. The items, which are improperly labeled, have not undergone toy product quality and safety verification by the health authorities, it was disclosed.

“These merrymakers with flashing LED lights are often not sturdily made. A child may drop the toy or open the battery compartment out of curiosity releasing the tiny button cell batteries. A child may put the batteries in the mouth and choke on them, or accidentally insert them on her or his ear and nose,” the official explained.

Aside from choking hazards, the button cell batteries also pose internal burn and chemical hazards.

"When it comes into contact with body fluids, the battery generates a current that produces small amounts of sodium hydroxide, which is lye. If the battery gets stuck somewhere in the body, the lye burns a hole at that spot. Infection usually follows. The result can be serious injury and illness, long-term disability, or even death," according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Unlike firecrackers, Lucero went on, playing with a "torotot" will not blow off a child’s fingers or cause eye injuries, but its mouthpiece or whistle can get detached and be swallowed by a child causing choking hazard. Others also have sharp edges that can cause abrasions and cuts.

“Like the light-up merrymakers, most, if not all, of the ‘torotots’ sold in the market are not authorized by the health authorities and are not duly labeled,” she added. “The quality and safety of these toys cannot be assured.”

To prevent choking, internal burn and/or chemical hazards, the EcoWaste released a set of guidelines for parents and guardians to avoid the potential dangers brought by light-up hand clappers, wands, spinning pens and similar merrymakers, as well as "torotots".

Adults, to begin, are encouraged to select the ones that are sturdily made and avoid buying light-up toys if the button cell battery compartments can be broken or opened easily. Children must not be allowed to handle and install button cell batteries and never let them play with them.

For "torotots", aside from choosing ones that are well-made, adults should inform the kids, as well, about the proper use; such as avoid running with and blowing a "torotot" while running, shun using ones if the muzzle is broken or damaged, and avoid blowing these noisemakers on another person’s ears.

“Adequate adult supervision is recommended when children play with these toys to keep them out of harm’s way,” Lucero urged, emphasizing the need to “be aware that most of these toys have not gone through the required quality and safety verification.”