Product safety tips for mums and dads at baby expo
Posted by editor (editor) on Jul 22 2010
2010 >>

Product safety tips on anything from children’s toys and portable cots to strollers and blind cords will be on hand for parents at the Brisbane Pregnancy Babies and Children’s Expo this weekend (18-20 June).

Fair Trading Minister Peter Lawlor said the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) product safety unit had a display each year at the annual event, which is set to attract 15,000 people over the three days.

“The OFT will have staff on-hand to provide important safety messages and answer questions from parents, potential parents or caregivers about the products they intend to buy or use for their children or home,” Mr Lawlor said.

“This may include children’s toys, bunk beds, blind and curtains, strollers, furniture, children’s sleepwear, portable cots, child car restraints and treadmills.

“For example, with children’s sleepwear, parents are reminded about the different fire risk labels that indicate a garment’s flammability and with furniture they’re warned about how easily things around the house can topple over onto little ones.

“Both cots and bunk beds are a major cause of childhood injury, and there are important safety requirements parents can also keep in mind before purchasing and using these products.”

Mr Lawlor said at the expo, the OFT would be giving out free safety toggles which are used at home to reduce the dangers posed by hanging blind and curtain cords.

“Blind cords can pose a strangulation risk to children. The tassels enable any looped cord to break apart when pressure is applied,” Mr Lawlor said.

Mr Lawlor said children under the age of four were at greatest risk of being hospitalised due to injury than all other age groups.

“Children in this age group cannot recognise dangerous situations,” Mr Lawlor said.
Mr Lawlor said he encouraged expo-goers to drop by the OFT’s product safety stand, have a chat to staff about their concerns and take away brochures with handy information and tips.

‘Visitors can also check out products on display demonstrating some of the safety hazards to look out for, and they’ll also have the chance to enter a free competition to win a child’s car seat,” he said.

The Brisbane Pregnancy Babies and Children’s Expo will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Southbank.

For more information about product safety visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au

Last changed: Jul 22 2010 at 11:04 AM