‘Toothpick crossbows’ banned by Chinese city amid child safety fears

A city in western China has banned the sale of the latest fad among some Chinese schoolchildren – toothpick crossbows, state media reported.

The ban has been enforced in Chengdu in Sichuan province amid concerns about the safety of the “toys”, the state broadcaster CCTV reported on Tuesday.

Parents have expressed fears that the tiny crossbows could cause serious injuries, the Shanghai Daily reported.

The crossbows — which fire toothpicks and can fit in one hand – are readily available from sellers online or in toyshops, the newspaper said.

Small plastic crossbows sell on the streets of Chengdu in Sichuan province for four yuan (58 US cents) and metal ones for 10 yuan, according to the Chinese news website Cover News.

Packaging on one of the products claimed it is powerful enough to “break paper cartons, cans and even fight cockroaches”, with the caveat that it is “not lethal”. Another is in a box that indicates it is for children aged five or older.

Cover News found several people selling “toothpick crossbows” near primary schools on Monday in Chengdu, with one indicating that sales were “really good” and that the products were almost out of stock.