Christmas toys banned – not safe for kids
Posted by editor (editor) on Dec 10 2009
2009 >>

Queensland consumers can purchase children’s toys with increased confidence following a safety inspection blitz by the Office of Fair Trading in the lead-up to Christmas.

Minister for Fair Trading Peter Lawlor today announced the results of a state wide pre-Christmas safety check on toys.

“Fair Trading officers conducted checks on more than five and half thousand toys throughout almost 200 stores across Queensland to ensure the products met strict safety standards.

“From these checks, 17 toys were removed from sale after failing safety standards.

“Of these, 13 were removed after testing by an accredited testing laboratory for failing mandatory safety requirements for children under three years of age, two for failing projectile toy standards, and one each for not having a mandatory warning and for being a banned toy.

“Toys were inspected for their compliance with mandatory safety standards for small children, risks associated with projectile toys, and to confirm no banned products were on sale.

“A number of baby rattles and soft toys were removed due to the threat of small parts becoming loose and posing a choking hazard.

“All toys that failed the mandatory safety standards were removed from sale immediately and enforcement action will be taken against the suppliers.

“The number of problem toys detected this year is less than last year which is a strong indication suppliers are getting the message that toy safety has critical importance in the market place.

"The Bligh government is determined to reduce the risk of product-related injury to children and to help Queensland families shop smart and safe this Christmas.”

Mr Lawlor said the key message for parents looking for presents this Christmas is ‘think safety’ before buying.

The toy safety results follow a number of successes during 2009 following the detection of unsafe toys by product safety inspectors.

“The Office of Fair Trading successfully prosecuted three traders in 2009 for non-compliance with safety standards.

Mooncast Pty Ltd, trading as Dollars & Sense and located at the Brookside Shopping Centre in Mitchelton, was fined $4000 and had a conviction recorded for selling a toy called the Musical Honey Bear which failed mandatory safety requirements.

Toy wholesaler Sunrise Imports Pty Ltd was fined $3000 for selling bow and arrow toys and a dart gun that failed mandatory safety standards required for projectile toys.

Children’s toy retailer Direct Savings was fined $4,800 for selling a toy gun which fired darts small enough to choke a child.

Additionally, four products were permanently banned from Queensland’s marketplace, including Bindeez Beads, Fire Foot Bags, the Amazing Jumbo Light Up Ball, and small expanding toys.

A transformer figurine, toy hummer cars and an action space shuttle were removed from sale in Ekka showbags prior to the start of this year’s show after inspections found they were unsuitable for children.

Mr Lawlor urged consumers to carefully examine toys for possible dangers before giving them to their children, particularly lower-priced toys that are often sold through discount stores and markets.

“Photos of the unsafe products are listed on the Fair Trading website, so consumers can check whether they have bought these products.

“Anyone who has purchased the identified toys should return them for a refund.”

For further information on product safety, visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au.

Consumers can also visit the national product recalls database at www.recalls.gov.au to check if they have any recalled toys.

Last changed: Dec 10 2009 at 11:06 AM