Giving Out Free Swag? Remember Product Safety Still Applies

Whether attending a convention as an exhibitor or a participant, free swag is important. In many cases, swag is the eye candy that starts that discussion or creates a lasting impression of your business. If you are an exhibitor, salesperson, or marketing professional, chances are you receive catalogs full of swag that can be stamped with your logo. In the last several years, the swag industry has upped its game with attractive offerings such as power banks and fitness watches. But there’s still plenty of classic swag. Stress balls, t-shirts and highlighters are still very popular in trade show exhibit halls.

But, dear readers, are you paying attention to how safe these free gifts are?

We here at Abnormal Use want to remind you that even when you are giving away a promotional item to employees or prospects to keep in mind the potential safety hazards. Even if it does not ultimately pose a legal impact on your business, it could negatively impact your image. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is paying closer attention to these items more than in years past. Remember who your audience is and who they come in contact with. Items with sharp edges, small parts, or components that are easily breakable are potential hazards to children.  Also keep in mind not just who the audience is, but the target market audience of the gift. For example, if the event is a trade show in the toy industry, just because the attendees are all adults will not ease the burden of ensuring that the items are child friendly. And speaking of toys, handing out items such as a Nerf football may place you in the realm of children’s product regulations. In a world where lanyards pose choking hazards and ink on t-shirts may be toxic, we cannot be too careful. As a tip, make sure that your lanyards have breakaway clasps, as this greatly reduces the possibility of choking.

Ultimately, do your due diligence when purchasing and giving away promotional items. While cheaper items may bring you more impressions per dollar, they may present lasting legal and image problems down the road. Try to use reputable promotions companies that offer safe and well-documented products. They may not be the cheapest, but they might add an extra layer of protection.