Unsafe and Dangerous Toys Seized
Inspectors from Consumer Affairs Victoria have seized more than 1900 unsafe and dangerous toys in product safety raids last week, following proactive product safety inspections to ensure children and the community were protected from harm.
Consumer Affairs Minister Michael O’Brien said the covert operation into the distribution of banned or non-compliant products resulted in seizures from a retailer in Altona and two warehouses in Moorabbin.
“Product safety inspectors have broad-ranging powers to search and seize products and are constantly monitoring Victorian wholesalers and retailers to ensure products on sale meet safety standards,” Mr O’Brien said.
“As a result of these product safety raids, 444 items were seized from a retail outlet in Altona, and a further 1491 items were seized from two import warehouses in Moorabbin,” he said.
Mr O’Brien said items included keyboards and musical toys, novelty lighters, candles, baby rattles, toy gun sets, toy ducks and baby dolls.
These toys posed choking and inhalation hazards due to small parts that can break easily, strangulation risks due to elastic cords and burns due to the lighter appearing like a toy and being attractive to children.
Mr O’Brien said Victorian laws keep families safe and ensure products available for sale are safe by ensuring retailers follow to very strict standards and ban orders.
“Anyone who fails to comply with product safety requirements with individuals now faces fines of up to $220,000 and corporations face fines of up to $1.1 million,” he said.
Consumers with concerns about product safety are encouraged to contact Consumer Affairs Victoria on 1300 55 81 81 or visit the Consumer Affairs website.