Prank items are cheap, risky, and easy to buy

Many items are available online, and no restrictions are imposed on their sale and use. Some can cause health problems

Recently, a gang of thieves made use of an itching powder, priced at Rs 50, to rob a businessman of Rs 45,000.

The availability of itching powder, and other prank toys, at cheap rates on e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart is worrying Bengalureans as there can be many harmful results of using these.

Many cases have been reported in schools, colleges and homes where accidents and injuries have been caused by kids playing pranks on each other. Since these materials are easily available online, children can get their hands on them.

Fake blood, electric shock pen, tricky rubber animals are among the items available at prices as low as Rs 100.

Metrolife spoke to a few people who fell victim to such pranks.

Fake blood almost gave mom a heart attack

Ananya, a techie from Vijayanagar, had the shock of her life when her son Vinod faked an accident using fake blood that he and his friends ordered on an e-commerce website.

“Kids these days are on online shopping portals most of the times. But I did not know that these sites sold prank toys at such low rates. They should either be priced high or not sold at all,” says Ananya.

Rubber snake prank broke sister’s leg

Arun, a sixth grade student at a leading school in Rajajinagar, ended up breaking his sister’s leg when he threw a rubber snake at her. She fell from the balcony while running away.

A rubber snake is priced at Rs 100.

“We now understand the consequences of giving them freedom while shopping online. Pranks are fun, yes, but this went beyond our control. Selling of prank items online must be banned now,” says Suman, Arun’s father.

Itching powder caused girl to miss exam

Rumi, a Bengaluru-based fashion designing student, had to skip her exams when a roommate mixed itching powder in her talcum powder.

“We were planning to play a prank on her for April fool’s day. The cover said it was organic powder, hence we didn’t give it much thought. But later on, Rumi developed skin rashes and had to skip her semester exam,” says Anjali, the friend who played the prank.
City dermatologists feel even products labelled organic might have chemicals that can cause skin irritations and allergies.