Pune
Boy was playing at home in Sangli dist.
Updated : Nov 21, 2013, 01:44 PM IST
Beware of giving cheap electronic toys to children. A China-made electronic toy exploded while a 5-year-old was playing with it, killing the boy, in Sangli district on Thursday.
The victim, Shubham Suresh Rajmane (5), lived in Ghanwad village of Vita taluka, Sangli district. He was only child of an employee of a private logistics company. A case of accidental death was filed at Vita police station.
Shubham, a nursery student, was playing with his handheld video game device on Thursday morning at his residence when the incident took place.
Ravindra Salunke, inspector incharge of Vita police station, said, “Shubham’s maternal uncle, who lives in Solapur, had gifted the China-made handheld video game device to him a month-and-half ago. Shubham’s mother did not allow him go outside because of the scorching sun and instead asked him to play with the video game device. Shubham’s father Suresh had gone to Islampur in Sangli district on a tour when the incident took place.”
Salunke said, “Shubham’s grandmother was sitting in the verandah of their house and cutting vegetables while Shubham played with the toy at a distance of 10 feet from her. She says she heard a sound like a tyre bursting.”
He added, “When the grandmother went close, she found profusely-bleeding Shubham on the floor. She raised an alarm and the family members rushed there. Shubham was shifted to a hospital in Vita on a motorbike by his paternal uncle. The doctors at the hospital tried reviving Shubham, but he died a couple of hours later.”
According to Salunke, “Shubham’s post-mortem revealed that the particles of the shattered video game device had pierced his chest and abdomen. The report said Shubham died due to internal injuries. We have sent the video game device to the Pune regional forensic laboratory for tests, so that the cause of the explosion can be ascertained.”
Pune-based electronics expert Rohit Srivastwa said, “Such a blast can take place due to improper installation of battery in the device. It can also be caused due to overheating or use of cheap battery.”
Doc calls for caution
Pediatrician Dr Pramod Jog said, “Parents must take precautions while buying toys, especially electronic toys. They must consider the age of the child while buying toys.
Electronic games should not be given to children below the age of 6 to 7 years as they are unaware about the consequences of mishandling them. Only authentic and standard toys should be bought. Some toys may have lead paint that may cause poisoning. I would recommend use of wooden toys or toys made of scrap for children.”