Dangerous Children’s Sleepwear Seized
More than 370 dangerous children's sleepwear items, including pyjamas and jumpsuits from 46 retailers have been seized by Consumer Affairs inspectors for failing to meet product safety labelling requirements.
Under the mandatory standard for children’s sleepwear, items require specific labelling to warn the material is flammable. The type of warning an item must carry depends on the type of fabric used.
"While no sleepwear is fireproof, adequate labeling ensures that parents and carers are aware of the level of risk when purchasing products," Minister for Consumer Affairs, Michael O'Brien said.
"These standards are in place to protect families and the community and breaching them brings serious consequences."
Kidsafe Victoria backed the Victorian Government's action, saying the blitz revealed the depth of the problem and the need for manufacturers to act.
Under the Australian Consumer Law, a supplier who fails to comply with a mandatory safety standard can face fines of up to $220,000 for individuals and $1.1 million for a body corporate.
To help reduce fire risks from children's sleepwear, parents should remember and follow these tips:
- do not choose sleepwear labelled 'high fire danger' if your child may be near open heat sources
- even if you choose garments with a low fire danger label these can still be flammable
- choose well-fitting sleepwear, the more loose-fitting the flammable clothing is, the higher the risk of burns if it catches fire
- contact your local fire authority for information on how to:
- install smoke detectors
- prevent fires around the home
- provide first aid for burns and scalds.
The seizures by Consumer Affairs Victoria were part of national surveillance efforts around product safety.