Published Wednesday, 06 August, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Inspectors on the lookout for product safety at the Ekka: Shine
As many Queenslanders anticipate the start of the Ekka tomorrow [7 August], the Office of Fair Trading has already been out there helping ensure a day at the show is a safe one.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said product safety officers had inspected hundreds of showbags over the past six weeks, and they would continue inspections during the Ekka.
“Product safety inspectors have examined hundreds of toys and novelties to check for products that may not comply with mandatory safety standards,” Mr Shine said.
“This includes checks for toys that may not be suitable for children up to 36 months of age, projectile toys, plush toys and mandatory information labelling.
“Show bags are a popular feature of the Ekka and each year product safety officers sort through the range of showbags on sale to weed out items which might be a safety risk.”
Mr Shine said a selection of products that were considered at risk of containing excess levels of lead were also sent for laboratory testing.
“On Friday a toy porcelain clown was removed from one showbag after the interim test results showed it failed the mandatory standard for the level of lead in toys,” he said.
“The lead testing found it contained more than 30 times the acceptable lead levels.
“The toy clown will not be sold at the Ekka, and the Office of Fair Trading is investigating whether the toy has been sold elsewhere and what further action is required in relation to the supplier.
“Product safety inspectors will be out during the Ekka conducting spot checks on showbags and other products on sale.”
Parents also have an important role to play in making sure showbag toys were safe for children to play with.
“Consider the safety of items and only buy show bags that are labelled as suitable for the age of your child,” said Mr Shine.
“Parents and carers should be wary of items with sharp points or edges, splinters and folding, moving or mechanical parts that could easily trap a child’s fingers.
“Anything that can fit into a 35 millimetre film canister is too small for children under three as they can choke on these items.
“Toys with strings or cords more than 30 centimetres long should be avoided as they are a choking hazard.
“I also encourage parents to supervise children with show bags as they can potentially suffocate if playing with the plastic bags.”
Mr Shine said any stall holders or suppliers who sold unsafe toys or banned products would face fines of up to $40,500.
“If any consumers find a toy or novelty they think is unsafe they should report it to the Office of Fair Trading,” he said.
The annual showbag checks are more relevant than ever in the lead up to the first ever National Toy Summit being held in Queensland next month.
For more consumer tips and product safety guidelines on safety of toys and novelties being supplied at shows visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Kate Lennox 3224 7481 or 0421 127 869
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said product safety officers had inspected hundreds of showbags over the past six weeks, and they would continue inspections during the Ekka.
“Product safety inspectors have examined hundreds of toys and novelties to check for products that may not comply with mandatory safety standards,” Mr Shine said.
“This includes checks for toys that may not be suitable for children up to 36 months of age, projectile toys, plush toys and mandatory information labelling.
“Show bags are a popular feature of the Ekka and each year product safety officers sort through the range of showbags on sale to weed out items which might be a safety risk.”
Mr Shine said a selection of products that were considered at risk of containing excess levels of lead were also sent for laboratory testing.
“On Friday a toy porcelain clown was removed from one showbag after the interim test results showed it failed the mandatory standard for the level of lead in toys,” he said.
“The lead testing found it contained more than 30 times the acceptable lead levels.
“The toy clown will not be sold at the Ekka, and the Office of Fair Trading is investigating whether the toy has been sold elsewhere and what further action is required in relation to the supplier.
“Product safety inspectors will be out during the Ekka conducting spot checks on showbags and other products on sale.”
Parents also have an important role to play in making sure showbag toys were safe for children to play with.
“Consider the safety of items and only buy show bags that are labelled as suitable for the age of your child,” said Mr Shine.
“Parents and carers should be wary of items with sharp points or edges, splinters and folding, moving or mechanical parts that could easily trap a child’s fingers.
“Anything that can fit into a 35 millimetre film canister is too small for children under three as they can choke on these items.
“Toys with strings or cords more than 30 centimetres long should be avoided as they are a choking hazard.
“I also encourage parents to supervise children with show bags as they can potentially suffocate if playing with the plastic bags.”
Mr Shine said any stall holders or suppliers who sold unsafe toys or banned products would face fines of up to $40,500.
“If any consumers find a toy or novelty they think is unsafe they should report it to the Office of Fair Trading,” he said.
The annual showbag checks are more relevant than ever in the lead up to the first ever National Toy Summit being held in Queensland next month.
For more consumer tips and product safety guidelines on safety of toys and novelties being supplied at shows visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Kate Lennox 3224 7481 or 0421 127 869