Dangerous toys that could kill or injure children have been ordered off the shelves in Warrawong and Wollongong during a pre-Christmas safety blitz.
Minister for Fair Trading Matt Kean said NSW Fair Trading inspectors found eight potentially lethal toys in Warrawong which was the highest concentration of dodgy, dangerous toys discovered during the blitz. One was also found in Wollongong.
This year’s pre-Christmas blitz saw NSW Fair Trading inspectors visit 903 businesses across NSW and inspect 10,727 individual products, with a focus on toys aimed at small children, aquatic toys and projectiles.
Mr Kean said 41 toys had failed safety testing all products have been removed from sale.
They includes a wind up giraffe, crocodile and horse, push and pull train, come together rescue car, classical train and forklift truck.
He said Fair Trading will take immediate action against those traders concerned.
Across NSW, most of the dangerous toys were aimed at children three years and under, with dangerous small parts and choking hazards the most common feature.
Under Australian Consumer Law, individuals caught selling dangerous toys face a maximum fine of $220,000 while companies can face fines of up to $1.1 million.
Customers who have inadvertently purchased an unsafe toy are entitled to a refund of the purchase price.
If they decide not to seek a refund, they should safely dispose of the toy immediately.
The dangerous toys removed from Wollongong and Warrawong:
- Dinotrux Revvit;
- Wind Up Giraffe;
- Wind Up Crocodile;
- Wind Up Horse;
- Thomas Train;
- Push/Pull train;
- Come Together Rescue Car;
- Classical Train; and
- Forklift truck.
The full list of toys (not found in the Illawarra) can be viewed here.
This article by Greg Ellis appeared in the Illawarra Mercury
