Festive toys checked - Product Safety Survey 2007
Issue Date: - Tuesday, 18 December 2007
1,500 products from 119 retail outlets in the metropolitan area have been inspected by Product Safety Officers in Consumer Protection’s product safety survey which is conducted annually in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
15 items were found to be unsafe and 8 on the spot fines for $1,000 each were issued.
“Gratifyingly, all items that were routinely tested for lead received the ‘all clear’ and other items which were identified as unsafe for various reasons were all removed from the shelves without incident by traders,” Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.
“Eight on the spot fines were issued relating to Christmas wreath candle holders because they could not withstand the heat of a flame and were flammable. All the Infringement Notices were subsequently paid.
“This year’s survey indicates a high level of compliance and that retailers are taking their responsibilities seriously and not putting consumers’ safety at unnecessary risk,” he said.
Failed products included:
Christmas wreath candle holder - flammable;
Coffee bean candles - flammable;
Foam toys - mandatory labelling requirements not met;
Basketball ring and backboard - mandatory labelling requirements not met;
Swimming aid - Australian Standard not met;
Toy umbrellas - sharp edges (eye injury risk)
Toys for children under 3 years - mandatory labelling not met/strangulation hazard; &
Baby’s dummy - Australian Standard not met.
In addition to these checks, consumers and especially parents are being advised to be careful when purchasing and using toy inflatable ‘bouncy castles’. Make sure the purchase is made of quality material, is anchored correctly, is used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and that children are not left unsupervised.
Consumer Protection can be contacted for further advice on telephone 1300 30 40 54.