FOUNTAIN pens are too dangerous for children under the age of 14, the British Standards Institution says. After decades when young pupils were encouraged
to master penmanship, the benefits of developing good handwriting are now seen to be outweighed by the risk of swallowing the cap. Pen-maker Waterman has inserted a small slip with its pens which reads: “This product is not intended for use by anyone under the age of 14 years.” British Standard 7272 sets out strict guidelines on how pens should be made. It says a pen cap should have a small hole to allow a child to breathe if he or she swallows it. “This has the effect of law,” said Dave Ruderman, of Waterman. Some adult pens are now defined as jewellery and therefore fall outside BS 7272. Mary Noble, a calligrapher, said: “It is bad enough that children are learning to type on a computer rather than proper handwriting. When they do write, they use ballpoints and rolling balls. Children should not have to wait until they are 14.” Simon Gray, of the Battersea Pen Home, a specialist dealer, was appalled. He said: “This is a bit like those bags of nuts which have labels saying this bag contains nuts.” Kevin Jones, the headmaster of St John’s College School, Cambridge, with 460 pupils aged four to 13, said: “Perhaps I will have to employ pen police.” Daily Telegraph 23/11/05.
to master penmanship, the benefits of developing good handwriting are now seen to be outweighed by the risk of swallowing the cap. Pen-maker Waterman has inserted a small slip with its pens which reads: “This product is not intended for use by anyone under the age of 14 years.” British Standard 7272 sets out strict guidelines on how pens should be made. It says a pen cap should have a small hole to allow a child to breathe if he or she swallows it. “This has the effect of law,” said Dave Ruderman, of Waterman. Some adult pens are now defined as jewellery and therefore fall outside BS 7272. Mary Noble, a calligrapher, said: “It is bad enough that children are learning to type on a computer rather than proper handwriting. When they do write, they use ballpoints and rolling balls. Children should not have to wait until they are 14.” Simon Gray, of the Battersea Pen Home, a specialist dealer, was appalled. He said: “This is a bit like those bags of nuts which have labels saying this bag contains nuts.” Kevin Jones, the headmaster of St John’s College School, Cambridge, with 460 pupils aged four to 13, said: “Perhaps I will have to employ pen police.” Daily Telegraph 23/11/05.
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