Published Tuesday, 25 November, 2008 at 05:00 AM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Unsafe infant cots withdrawn from sale
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine warned parents today that four children’s cots have been withdrawn from sale after they were deemed to be unsafe.
“Routine checks by the Office of Fair Trading found the cots had failed mandatory safety tests because the labelling about the recommended size of the cot mattress was incorrect,” Mr Shine said.
“The cots were sold in Toys ’R’ Us stores nationally between 1 May 2007 and 10 October 2008 and have now been withdrawn from sale.
“Toys ‘R’ Us has changed the adhesive labels and issued a national public notice to ensure any affected consumers are advised of the problem.”
Mr Shine said the recalled cots included the Bruin Heirloom Cot, the Bruin Roma Sleigh Cot, the Bruin Marbella Cot and Bruin Vogue Cot.
“Parents who have already purchased any of these cots should immediately check the mattress insert to ensure it is a snug fit,” Mr Shine said.
“The mandatory safety standard requires that all cot mattresses are tight fitting with no gaps more than 20 millimetres when the mattress is centred in the cot base.
“Although the cots were sold without a mattress, they failed the mandatory safety standard because the recommended mattress dimensions printed on the cots were inaccurate.
“If a consumer were to use the recommended mattress size then a potentially unsafe gap would be left between the mattress and the sides or ends of the cot.
“This could create a hazard as a baby could become wedged in the gap between the cot and mattress.”
Mr Shine said if customers wanted a mattress with a tighter fit they should return the mattress with proof of purchase to their nearest Toys ’R’ Us store for an exchange.
“Consumers should contact their local Toys ’R’ Us store or call the dedicated toll free number on 1800 241 390 to organise an exchange,” Mr Shine said.
“Fair Trading product safety officers will continue to carry out regular spot inspections and compliance checks on a number of different products, including toys, cots and bunk beds throughout the year.
“Heavy penalties apply for companies caught breaching the Fair Trading Act 1989, including fines of up to $40,500 for individuals and $202,500 for companies.”
For more information about product safety standards, visit the Office of Fair Trading website on www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or phone 13 13 04.
Media contact: Chris Taylor 0419 710 874
“Routine checks by the Office of Fair Trading found the cots had failed mandatory safety tests because the labelling about the recommended size of the cot mattress was incorrect,” Mr Shine said.
“The cots were sold in Toys ’R’ Us stores nationally between 1 May 2007 and 10 October 2008 and have now been withdrawn from sale.
“Toys ‘R’ Us has changed the adhesive labels and issued a national public notice to ensure any affected consumers are advised of the problem.”
Mr Shine said the recalled cots included the Bruin Heirloom Cot, the Bruin Roma Sleigh Cot, the Bruin Marbella Cot and Bruin Vogue Cot.
“Parents who have already purchased any of these cots should immediately check the mattress insert to ensure it is a snug fit,” Mr Shine said.
“The mandatory safety standard requires that all cot mattresses are tight fitting with no gaps more than 20 millimetres when the mattress is centred in the cot base.
“Although the cots were sold without a mattress, they failed the mandatory safety standard because the recommended mattress dimensions printed on the cots were inaccurate.
“If a consumer were to use the recommended mattress size then a potentially unsafe gap would be left between the mattress and the sides or ends of the cot.
“This could create a hazard as a baby could become wedged in the gap between the cot and mattress.”
Mr Shine said if customers wanted a mattress with a tighter fit they should return the mattress with proof of purchase to their nearest Toys ’R’ Us store for an exchange.
“Consumers should contact their local Toys ’R’ Us store or call the dedicated toll free number on 1800 241 390 to organise an exchange,” Mr Shine said.
“Fair Trading product safety officers will continue to carry out regular spot inspections and compliance checks on a number of different products, including toys, cots and bunk beds throughout the year.
“Heavy penalties apply for companies caught breaching the Fair Trading Act 1989, including fines of up to $40,500 for individuals and $202,500 for companies.”
For more information about product safety standards, visit the Office of Fair Trading website on www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or phone 13 13 04.
Media contact: Chris Taylor 0419 710 874