Products using button batteries sit high on the Office of Fair Trading watch list. Photo: Supplied.
Suppliers are on notice to display mandatory warning labels or face action by Office of Fair Trading inspection officers as part of a statewide compliance crackdown on Christmas toys and novelties.
It’s part of the 17th annual Operation Safe Christmas, which has seen 7050 products in 193 stores inspected across Queensland.
All compliance issues identified to date relate to button batteries, including:
- Six products not containing a mandatory button battery warning label
- Seventeen products not having the mandatory warning label and failing to have a child-resistant battery compartment, as required by law.
Seized items include flower-themed solar lights, mini piano toys, snow globes and plastic pinwheels.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington said while these products had been removed from shelves, it was still important for all Queenslanders to remain vigilant when buying gifts for children.
“Christmas should be a time of joy and the last thing anybody wants to see is a child injured because of an unsafe toy,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Sadly, every month in Australia we see a child seriously injured after swallowing or inserting a button battery, with some suffering lifelong injuries, which is devastating.”
She said Fair Trading inspectors did a tremendous job scouring retail stores and markets to ensure mandatory standards were being met.
“But it is important for everyone to be on the lookout for unsafe products – particularly button batteries.
“With an increase in online shopping, Queenslanders should also be mindful when purchasing products from overseas to make sure they meet Australia’s high safety standards.”
Products containing button and coin batteries need to have a secure battery compartment and include mandatory safety information and emergency advice, so consumers understand the risks associated with the products.
Some questions to consider when shopping for toys for young children include:
- How well-made does the toy look?
- Does it have small parts such as wheels, foam, bells and lights that could become a choking hazard?
- Are there any sharp edges or points?
- Are there long strings more than 30 cm in length?
- Are the batteries easily accessible?
Concerns about unsafe toys should be reported to the OFT at: www.qld.gov.au/fairtrading or by calling 13 QGOV (13 74 68).
Visit: www.productsafety.gov.au
