Product safety

Announcements

New national safety standard for ethanol burners

A new national safety standard for decorative alcohol-fuelled (ethanol) burners will come into effect on 15 July 2017, replacing an interim ban on the products. The action to ensure the safety of portable table-top burners comes after reports of more than 100 injuries and 36 house fires in Australia since 2010 and at least three deaths overseas. WA first introduced an interim ban in December 2016...
Consumer Protection
Media release
12 Jul 2017

Commissioner's Blog: Winter warmth – product safety tips

With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard Winter's here and as we try to keep warm in the cooler weather there are some annual safety messages to think about when buying or using products such as hot water bottles, heaters, electric blankets, wheat bags and pyjamas. Let’s start with hot water bottles. You might have one in the back of the cupboard but if it’s more than two...
Consumer Protection
Media release
16 Jun 2017

Commissioner's Blog: Some fidget spinners can harm children

With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard If you’re a parent or carer, it’s highly likely you’ve heard all about, or seen too much of, ‘fidget spinners’. Alternatively, you may have noticed the novelty items for sale online or at stalls in shopping centres and we know there are also promotional giveaways where you get them for free. For anyone who isn’t sure what they are,...
Consumer Protection
Alert
16 Jun 2017

Safety concerns about ‘fidget spinners’ following injuries

A safety investigation has been launched into the novelty items ‘fidget spinners’ following reports of injuries and concerns about some models which contain button batteries. Among the injury reports are an 11 year old boy in Victoria who suffered a serious eye injury from a model with sharp edges and a ten year old girl in the United States who swallowed one of the small parts. Product safety...
Consumer Protection
Media release
18 May 2017

Commissioner's Blog: Safe sleep for infants

With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard In the wake of the tragic death of a three-month-old in WA last month (February 2017) after he was left momentarily unattended in a baby swing, it is timely to recall the practices, items and environments considered safe for infant sleeping. The case here follows a similar episode in the UK in 2015 where a baby girl died in a bouncer...
Consumer Protection
Media release
31 Mar 2017

Safety warning following child treadmill accident

Consumer Protection is warning parents and carers of children to be aware of the dangers of treadmills in the home after a three year old girl from South Hedland suffered serious friction burns. Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard said the accident highlights the risks of children having access to exercise machines. “Many children are seriously injured by friction burns...
Consumer Protection
Media release
27 Mar 2017

Portable ethanol burner ban extended

UPDATE 16/3/17 - Federal Government imposes an interim national product safety ban for 60-days. Details released by Minister for Small Business Michael McCormack MP The sale of portable decorative ethanol burners will be banned in Western Australia for another month in a bid to protect consumers from burns or fire incidents. Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection Penny Lipscombe says the 30-...
Consumer Protection
Media release
17 Feb 2017

Commissioner's Blog: Sunscreen suggestions #safesummer

With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner David Hillyard Consumers suffering allergic reactions to sunscreen or burns when wearing it have been reported in the media recently, so it seemed timely to provide some tips for buyers and users. We’re not skin specialists or cancer experts at Consumer Protection, which means we’ve sourced information from WA’s Department of Health and The Australian...
Consumer Protection
Department News
25 Jan 2017

Commissioner's blog: Only use popular air-filled loungers on dry land

With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner David Hillyard Air-filled loungers were one of the must-have Christmas presents for 2016 and had been heavily promoted via social media and at pop-up stalls in shopping centres. Photos or videos indicate the products are able to be used in water BUT two near-misses in Australian home swimming pools during the festive period prompted drowning risk...
Consumer Protection
Department News
19 Jan 2017

Inflatable air loungers pose drowning risk if used in water

Consumer Protection is warning owners of inflatable air loungers not to use them in water as they could pose a drowning risk. Inflatable air loungers are fabric tubes that are inflated to form a lounge or bed. They can be used as an alternative to other furniture and may have an internal plastic liner in addition to an external covering. They may also be marketed as air sofas or inflatable...
Consumer Protection
Media release
04 Jan 2017

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