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Safetyzone Summer 2020

Welcome to the Summer 2020 edition of Safetyzone, the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) product safety newsletter.

Features

Operation Safe Christmas

Office of Fair Trading officers have been out and about across Queensland checking toys as part of our annual proactive compliance program.

Operation Safe Christmas 2020 kicked off in September and officers visited 266 stores and pop up stalls, checking more than 5,640 product lines.

Officers removed several toy lines from sale, all in the under three years old category and due to small parts and other choking hazards.

With the increase in online shopping this year, it’s important you know where your purchases are coming from and whether they meet Australian safety standards. Not all countries have the same requirements as we do, and you don’t want to inadvertently buy a dangerous gift for the little ones in your life.

A simple checklist you can follow is the five s’s of toy safety:

Size - The smaller the child, the bigger the toy should be. Avoid any toy containing small parts or parts that could easily break off. Parts smaller than a ping pong ball could choke a child under three years.

Shape - Be wary of products that could be easily swallowed and have sharp edges and points.

Surface - Small children will place objects in their mouths so make sure all materials and finishes are non-toxic (packaging should state this).

Strings - Anything over 30 cm may pose a strangulation hazard for a small child and should be removed. Be especially vigilant with curtain cords around cots and play areas.

Supervision - Nothing replaces close supervision by parents and care-givers.

Product Safety Australia has a handy printable Choke Check tool available on their website to help you asses the toys you buy or receive as presents.

You should also check that any toys that run on button batteries have a battery compartment that is child resistant and secure. Button batteries can cause severe and potentially fatal injuries if swallowed.

You can report any unsafe toys to us at www.qld.gov.au/fairtrading or by calling 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

For information on safety standards and product bans, visit the Product Safety Australia website.

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Swim safe this holiday season

Swimming and flotation aids come in several forms that children can either wear, have attached to their bodies, or sit in to gain confidence through water and gradually transition to unaided buoyancy. However, it is essential to remember that swimming and flotation aids are not safety devices and you should never rely on them to keep your children afloat and upright.

When buying flotation aids, always read the safe use information attached to the product. This information should include:

  • how to fit the aid correctly
  • for inflatable flotation aids, that the flotation aid should be fully inflated
  • a reminder of the requirement for the wearer to be under constant, competent supervision, that the supervisor should be within arm’s reach of the wearer, and that the flotation aid will not prevent drowning
  • how to check the aid for signs of wear and tear, and when to replace the aid
  • care and storage of the aid.

Also look for a warning label that outlines the dangers of the product. This label should be permanently attached to the swimming or flotation aid.

If there is no warning label or safe use information on or attached to the product, do not purchase the product and report it to the Office of Fair Trading via our website or by calling 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

For more information on swimming and flotation aids, visit the Product Safety Australia website.

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A fatal attraction

If small high-powered magnets such as neocubes or neodymium magnets are on your child’s Christmas list this year, skip it and go to the next option. These magnetic novelties are banned in Australia with good reason.

If two or more magnets are ingested, they can come together across digestive tract tissue, effectively clamping it and causing severe and potentially fatal internal injuries.

The swallowing risk is not limited to small children either. Older children have been known to ingest magnets when using them as fake tongue or facial piercings.

Symptoms of magnet ingestion, such as abdominal pain, vomiting and fever, are similar to those experienced with other illnesses and infections, and as such may result in a delay in identification and treatment of the injury.

If you suspect your child may have swallowed any type of magnet contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 16 or your nearest emergency department for immediate medical attention.

For more information on product bans, please visit the Product Safety Australia website.

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Jelly cup danger

Who doesn’t love a sweet treat on a hot summer’s day? While mini jelly cups might seem like a convenient, snack sized treat, some have hidden dangers lurking in the ingredients list.

Mini jelly cups are small confectionery products often sold in multi-packs. However, those that have a height or width of 45mm or less and that contain the binding food additive konjac are banned in Australia.

This is because when jelly that doesn’t dissolve easily comes in a mouthful size, it makes a pretty dangerous choking hazard, especially for children.

To check the ingredients list before you buy, look for any of the following names that konjac may be listed as:

  • conjac
  • glucomannan
  • konjac
  • konnyaku
  • konjonac
  • taro powder
  • yam flour.

For more information on the ban of mini jelly cups containing konjac visit the Product Safety Australia website.

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Holiday accommodation

This year, more than ever, we’re all looking forward to a getaway, and the last thing we want is for someone to be injured.

Five or ten minutes checking things such as bunk beds, blind and curtain cords, and furniture stability can help drastically reduce the risk of potentially catastrophic injuries to your family or friends.

Bunk beds must comply with mandatory safety standards, so if you have any concerns, check with your provider that they do.

Ensure the top bunk has guard rails on all sides, there are no gaps that could trap your child’s head, and that the ladder is secure.

All blind and curtain cords should be out of reach of young children to prevent strangulation, whether they are standing on the floor or a piece of furniture. If they are not out of reach, tie them up so they are.

Check any furniture is stable and preferably anchored to a wall, and that children can’t reach windows by standing on it.

Before you use a portable cot, make sure the sides and ends are locked into place and the mesh is not torn or broken.

Only use the mattress that comes with the portacot and ensure there are no gaps around it when fitted.

Don’t be tempted to add or replace the mattress or add any padding. The risk is too high that your baby could wind up caught between the mattress and the sides or base and suffocate.

And always check your portacot complies with the Australian Standard (AS/NZS 2195).

For a more detailed list of safe holiday checks, visit our website.

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Portable pool safety

Queensland OFT is joining forces with other Australian product safety regulators and the Royal Life Saving Association to help prevent fatalities and other drowning injuries related to portable pools.

The annual ‘Don’t Duck Out, Make it SAFE’ campaign is supported by drowning prevention ambassadors, including an Australian woman whose son died in December 2017, two years after suffering irreversible neurological injuries when drowning in an unfenced portable pool.

Under the Australian Consumer Law, portable pools that can hold 30cm of water–ranging from small blow-up or plastic paddling pools to bigger wading pools, inflatable spas or high-sided flexible plastic pools on a frame–must have warning labels drawing the buyer’s attention to the drowning risk and local fencing laws.

Some major Australian retailers have agreed to go the extra mile and display ‘Don’t Duck Out, Make It SAFE’ promotional materials in store and put stickers on portable pool boxes to promote the key safety messages people need to know when buying one of these products:

  • Supervise. Actively watch children within arm’s reach. Don’t leave children in charge.
  • Act. Learn CPR – know to start compressions and breaths as soon as possible when a child is pulled from the water and to call triple zero (000) for help.
  • Fence. In most of Australia, pools filled with more than 30cm of water are legally required to have a compliant safety barrier. Check with your local council or government agency.
  • Empty. For pools that don’t need to be fenced, keep watch all day, then pour out any water and store away from children in a place where it can’t refill with rain or sprinkler water.

If you own a portable pool, or are thinking of buying one, visit the Product Safety Australia website.

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Is Santa bringing your household a trampoline this year?

In addition to being a lot of fun, trampolines are a source of exercise and get kids away from the TV, making them popular Christmas gifts. Unfortunately, they are also a major cause of childhood injury over the summer months, with hundreds of Australian children taken to hospital every year with trampoline-related injuries such as cuts, sprains and fractures.

If Santa is bringing a trampoline to your house this Christmas:

  • make sure the trampoline has safety padding on the frame to avoid injuries if a child accidently hits the frame, and that the padding is a contrasting colour to the mat
  • buy safety pads to completely cover the steel frame and springs if your trampoline does not have them.
  • consider buying a safety net to prevent falls.

Whether you’re unveiling your trampoline on Christmas morning or dusting it off for the holidays, set some safety rules for the kids, such as:

  • Never jump off! You can hurt yourself if you jump off the trampoline onto a hard surface. Stop jumping and climb down the ladder to get off safely.
  • Stand back: Don’t sit on the matting when you’re watching someone else jumping and never go underneath a trampoline when someone else is using it.
  • Middle of the mat: Always bounce in the middle of the trampoline, away from the springs.
  • One at a time: it’s safest to have one person bouncing at a time.
  • Watch Children at all times and take extra care with younger children as they are more prone to serious injury.
  • Ensure your children learn basic bounces first before trying more complex manoeuvres. Overconfidence can lead to injury.

For more information on trampoline safety, including how to check it has weathered the colder months well,  visit the Product Safety Australia website.

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Don't be silly about ladders this silly season

On average 4.5 Australians—mainly men—die each year after falling from a ladder. Even a fall from one to two metres can be enough to significantly change not only your life, but the lives of those closest to you. Thinking twice before going up a ladder this summer might just save you more than a lively story.

If a ladder is not in good condition or is used unsafely, falls can occur resulting in fractured limbs, spinal cord damage, brain injury or death.

So, if you are one of the many people across the country who plan to place those Christmas decorations in spots that only a ladder can reach, reduce for the risk of injury by following these basic safety guidelines:

  • Choose the right ladder for the job
    • Is the ladder high enough to reach?
    • How much weight can the ladder hold?
    • Is the ladder in good condition?
  • Place the ladder on a firm, flat surface
    • Ensure there are no power lines or exposed extension cords in the area.
    • Avoid slippery, wet or soft surfaces.
    • Lock the ladder extension before use.
    • Keep ladder away from any door that can be opened out into it.
    • Never put the ladder on top of other objects to gain extra height.
  • Climb with care
    • Wear slip-resistant shoes.
    • Keep your body centred between the side rails.
    • Do not over-reach, work within arm’s reach.
    • Be careful when attaching or placing items onto gutters or roofs as this may cause you to lose balance.
    • Do not stand above the second step from top.
  • Consider the conditions
    • Don’t work in wet or windy conditions.
    • Avoid using a ladder during hot days to prevent getting dizzy and losing balance.

For more information on ladder safety visit the Product Safety Australia website.

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Stay safe when using quad bikes this Christmas

Like many off-road, recreational activities, quad bikes come with risks that you need to be aware of and avoid. Accidents are common and can happen very easily, so always take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your children

Losing control of a quad bike can cause it to flip or roll over causing serious injury or death. The risk of a rollover increases if the quad bike is travelling on uneven ground or slopes, travelling at high speed, towing an attachment or carrying a heavy or unstable load.

Risks also increase when riders:

  • are inexperienced
  • carry passengers
  • do not have the physical strength to ride actively
  • are under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • are not wearing suitable personal protective equipment such as a helmet.

Prepare safe

  • Decide if a quad bike is really the right vehicle for the activity.
  • Ensure you are properly trained before you ride a quad bike.
  • Maintain the bike so it is in safe condition.
  • Read the operator manual and observe the manufacturer's safety warnings and recommended use of the vehicle.
  • Before you leave for a quad bike ride, always tell someone where you plan to go and when you expect to return.

Wear safe

  • Always wear a helmet.
  • Wear protective clothing and gear such as goggles, long sleeves, long pants, boots and gloves/hand protection.

Ride safe

  • Never let children ride quad bikes that are meant for adults – even as passengers.
  • Do not carry any passengers on quad bikes that are meant for one person.
  • Quad bikes are not all-terrain vehicles so they cannot go safely on all types of terrain. Avoid riding on rough terrain or steep slopes.
  • Ride on familiar tracks and beware of obstacles.
  • Never ride under the influence of alcohol/drugs.
  • Always supervise children near any quad bike activity.
  • Always carry a mobile phone or radio device so you can contact for help in case of an emergency.

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Safe last minute shopping

As Queenslanders prepare to spend considerable sums of money on last minute Christmas gifts this year, consumers are asked to take a step back and be cautious about buying products from overseas websites or pop up markets. The reality is that these products, especially toys, may not meet current Australian safety standards or regulations. And if you need to return the items, you may have difficulty getting a refund.

The Product Safety Australia website has some really useful information on the safe purchase of toys and other products for children.

Remember the old phrase ‘you get what you pay for’. Buying at a rock bottom price is no bargain if the product causes you or a loved one an injury down the track.

Don't give half a gift this Christmas

If you have bought a bike, skateboard, scooter or any other wheeled toy, don’t just give half the gift – give the safety gear as well. This could be an Australian Standard compliant helmet, or knee and elbow pads. The Product Safety Australia website has more information on bike helmet safety.

Don't give half a gift this Christmas

If you have bought a bike, skateboard, scooter or any other wheeled toy don’t just give half the gift – give the safety gear as well. This could be an Australian Standard compliant helmet, or knee and elbow pads. The Product Safety Australia website has more information on bike helmet safety.

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Fair Trading targets motorbike dealers in national compliance operation

The Queensland OFT is joining a national compliance operation to ensure motorbike dealers are doing the right thing and are complying with the new Quad Bike Safety Standard that came into effect on 11 October 2019.

Suppliers must comply with safety standards when they sell a new quad bike. This standard specifies requirements for all quad bikes supplied from 11 October 2020 and additional requirements for general use quad bikes supplied from 11 October 2021. The standard only applies to second-hand quad bikes if they have been imported into Australia.

From 11 October 2020, suppliers must:

  • hang a tag on the quad bike that allows you to compare the safety of models prior to purchase
  • fix a durable warning label to the quad bike that warns the user of the quad bike of the risk of rollover
  • include, in the owner’s manual, information on the risk of rollover
  • meet certain requirements in the US or European standards for quad bikes, and
  • ensure the quad bike has a spark arrestor that conforms to the Australian Standard AS 1019-2000 or the US Standard 5100-1d

From 11 October 2021, general use quad bikes must also:

  • have an operator protection device (OPD) attached to help protect riders from the risk of serious injury or fatality as a result of being crushed or pinned in the event of a rollover by holding the quad bike off the ground, and
  • meet minimum stability requirements.

The purpose of the safety standard is to prevent or reduce the risk of fatality or injury associated with the use of quad bikes.

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Mandatory reporting

Under Australian Consumer Law, suppliers must report any product-related death, serious injury or serious illness associated with a consumer product.

Suppliers are required to make a mandatory report when they become aware of an incident and:

  • consider the consumer product caused or may have caused the death or serious injury or illness or
  • someone else considers the consumer product caused or may have caused the death, serious injury or illness.

Serious illness or injury means an acute physical injury or illness requiring medical or surgical treatment by, or under the supervision of, a qualified doctor or nurse.

Suppliers must submit a report within two days of becoming aware of a reportable incident. They can do this using the ACCC's online form.

For more information on mandatory reporting, please read the mandatory reporting guidelines.

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ACCC launches Australian Product Safety Pledge

The ACCC recently launched its Australian Product Safety Pledge—a voluntary initiative that aims to protect Australian consumers from safety risks when shopping online.

The pledge was developed by the ACCC in collaboration with Aliexpress, Amazon Australia, Catch.com.au, and eBay Australia in response to the growth in online shopping and the challenges associated with managing product safety in the online marketplace.

As we navigate changes fuelled by the global COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, it is more important than ever for businesses to take positive steps to ensure consumers are provided with a safe and trusted online shopping experience.

Signatories to the pledge commit to:

Online businesses (particularly those that operate marketplaces to facilitate the supply of products to Australian consumers) that are seeking to strengthen or improve their product safety initiatives by participating in the pledge are strongly encouraged to contact the ACCC.

For more information or to download a copy of Australian Product Safety Pledge or Australian Product Safety Pledge – Guidance for signatories to the pledge, visit the ACCC website.

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Recalls roundup

A product safety recall is the most common way for a supplier to remove unsafe goods from the supply chain. If you own one of the below items, follow the relevant link to find out what you need to do to make your item safe, or if you are entitled to a refund or replacement.

For more information on product recalls, visit the ACCC recalls website.

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Need help?

If you need help to identify product hazards, work with standards or develop a compliance plan, please contact the OFT's Consumer Product Safety Unit at OFT.Safety@justice.qld.gov.au. Fines for non-compliance with standards can be substantial so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

For more information on regulated products subject to mandatory standards and bans or to check for information about consumer products and services, visit the Product Safety Australia  website.

Want to report a product safety problem or seek advice?

Do you have some information you’d like to verify or are unsure about a product? The first step should be to visit the Product Safety Australia and OFT website. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can email the OFT Product Safety Unit at OFT.Safety@justice.qld.gov.au. We will try to answer any queries you may have concerning Product Safety within Queensland with a safety first approach, because your safety matters.

Feedback

If you find this Safetyzone newsletter useful, please tell us what you think by emailing OFT.Safety@justice.qld.gov.au.

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Last updated:
8 July 2022
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