On Wednesday, February 23, 2000 at 7:00:00 PM UTC+11, Andy Dingley wrote:

Bristol Evening Post
23rd Feb 2000

Girl hurt as gun caps explode

Tomboy Eleanor Fairclough had the shock of her life when 240 toy gun
caps exploded in her pocket.

Eleanor, aged 10, from Windmill Hill, was badly burned on her hand and
arm and had to spend two nights in hospital.

Now Eleanor's mother, Ruth Garcia, is warning other parents about cap
gun toys.

She said: "There is a small warning on the packet but it is in tiny
writing which children are not going to read. I feel really anxious
that other parents should not allow their children to have the caps at
all."

The warning includes the phrase: "Do not put caps in pockets."

Eleanor was standing in the kitchen when the caps exploded as she went
to take them out of her pocket.

Mrs Garcia said: "I didn't know Eleanor had the caps. She was just
talking to me and her big brother when there was a big bang and a
flash which came from her pocket. The room filled with smoke and she
was screaming. It was terrifying because I didn't know what had
happened.

An ambulance took Eleanor to hospital where she was admitted. Her
fingers suffered the worst burns and she had little black dots
everywhere because of the gunpowder.

When I was younger I bought the caps in small rings but now they all
come together in blister packets so they all have to be taken out at
the same time. Where else is a child going to put them but in their
pockets ?"

Manufacturers of the caps B&J Toys in Birmingham says it has been
selling the product for years. Director Bill Lynch said: "There is a
warning on the product which we are required by law to include and the
caps are in blister packets to keep them separate. I obviously
sympatise with the family but our toys are made to standards within
the law so we are not to blame."

bruh thats scary bro

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