A blow-up swimming ring in a pool
An updated mandatory safety standard for aquatic toys will help to better protect children using inflatable aquatic toys in and around water. Children, in particular young children who often cannot swim, are at risk of drowning if their inflatable aquatic toy suddenly deflates when air is released through the air inlet. The hazard increases if…
Read More New safety standard for aquatic toys
A gold watch on a table with button batteries scattered around the watch
Consumer household products with button batteries, including children’s toys, should have secure battery safety compartments, child resistant packaging and clear information and warning labels, under proposed new mandatory standards put forward by the ACCC for consultation. Button battery safety is a key part of the ACCC’s Product Safety Priorities for 2020, which show how the ACCC will…
Read More Product safety priorities focus on button battery safety
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CHOICE is calling on the government to introduce tighter product safety laws, following an alarming number of infant deaths linked to inclined sleepers in the US. CHOICE experts say that based on research conducted in the US, inclined sleepers are so dangerous for young babies that they should be completely avoided. Two inclined sleeping products…
Read More Inclined sleepers: A tragedy waiting to happen in our homes
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This is a guest post by Product Safety Solutions. In a first for product safety, a new documentary exposes the story of how everyday household products can present unacceptable hazards. Episode 3 of the new US Netflix ‘docuseries’, Broken, titled Deadly Dressers, examines furniture tip-overs that have killed and injured young children. It chronicles how changes to…
Read More Netflix documentary shows how cheap furnture is killing children
A child laying on their stomach looking at a mobile phone
New analysis of Roy Morgan data from the Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) shows that nearly half of Aussie kids aged 6-13 own or use a mobile phone. The analysis shows that in 2018, 32 per cent of kids owned a mobile phone with a further 16 per cent having access to one. One…
Read More Almost half of Aussie kids own or use a mobile phone
A blow-up swimming ring in a pool
Being around water is part of everyday Australian life, however drowning is one of the major causes of unintentional death for Australian children. In 2017/18, 18 Australian children aged 0-4 years drowned. The majority of these incidents occurred in backyard swimming pools. Pool and spa barriers can be effective in reducing the risk of drowning…
Read More Standard on safety barriers for swimming pools is open for public comment
A nursing chair and a baby's cot in a nursery
An analysis of CHOICE test data has found key products designed for children still pose a risk as doctors, industry, experts and parents converged on Canberra on Wednesday to demand action. The data shows: Portable cots (60 tested from 2011–2018*): 98% or 59 failed. Strollers (163 tested from 2012–2019): 83% or 136 failed. Cots (173…
Read More Parents demand Canberra act on unsafe products
A gold watch on a table with button batteries scattered around the watch
The ACCC has established a Button Battery Taskforce to investigate ways to reduce risk to the Australian community, particularly children, of button batteries. In Australia two children have died in the past six years after swallowing a button battery, and hundreds of children suspected of swallowing button batteries have ended up in hospital emergency rooms.…
Read More Taskforce to investigate stronger button battery safety
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The ACCC has begun a safety review of products designed for infants such as bouncers, rockers and inclined sleep products. The market review will be on inclined baby products used for sleeping, where the baby’s head and back are inclined, and may include a harness or belt to secure the baby into the product. The…
Read More Safety review of baby bouncers, rockers and inclined sleep products
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Children can suffer a range of injuries from unsafe toys. Make sure you buy sturdy and well-made toys that can handle vigorous play by children. It is an offence to supply goods that do not comply with mandatory standards, read more here The newly published revised and redesignated toys standard specifies safety aspects related to the…
Read More Updated standard on toy safety protects children
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The Morrison Government has issued a safety warning notice to the public regarding risks associated with button batteries. Button batteries, also known as coin cell batteries, are flat, round, single cell batteries, used in a broad range of personal and household products such as children’s toys, hearing aids, watches, remote controls, digital thermometers and bathroom…
Read More Coalition issues button battery safety alert
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CHOICE says children’s lives are being jeopardised by business ignoring button battery risk, and are calling for an overhaul of product safety laws in the wake of recent tests which show manufacturers and retailers are ignoring safety risks posed by button battery powered items. “10 out of 17 button battery powered household items failed CHOICE…
Read More Button battery safety failures
