Don’t toy with child safety this Christmas

Families are being urged to choose safe toys and products for Christmas – and shop owners to ensure only safe products are offered for sale.

Consumer Affairs Victoria inspectors are carrying out safety inspections from now until Christmas and will be on the lookout especially for unsafe children’s toys, portable pools and Christmas-themed products containing button batteries. 

Last year, Consumer Affairs Victoria inspectors seized 245 toys from shelves before Christmas because they were unsafe, including baby rattle sets that were choking hazards, children’s sunglasses that didn’t have the required labelling (including lens and usage information) and cosmetics with no ingredient labelling.

To pick the safest toys this Christmas, Consumer Affairs Victoria is advising people to avoid buying toys with sharp edges, points or splinters, to watch out for toys with button batteries and make sure the batteries are in secure compartments, and to keep in mind the child’s age.

Under Australian Consumer Law, it is illegal to supply products that do not meet mandatory safety and information standards. Consumer Affairs Victoria inspectors have the power to issue infringement notices and $5000 fines on the spot.

Further enforcement action can range from warnings to infringements or court action.

In 2022-23, Consumer Affairs Victoria conducted 453 product safety inspections targeting non-compliant goods, and issued one infringement, 94 official warnings and received 44 voluntary undertakings to withdraw and not restock products for sale.

To report a potentially unsafe product, contact Consumer Affairs Victoria on 1300 558 181 or visit consumer.vic.gov.au/productsafety.

A list of recalled and banned products can be viewed at productsafety.gov.au.