Published
New South Wales Fair Trading Minister Anthony Roberts today said a Liverpool retailer had been ordered to pay $2,259 by Liverpool Local Court for selling toys that posed a serious safety risk to children.
Mr Roberts said Smart Dollar Liverpool Pty Ltd was convicted of supplying an unsafe children’s toy that did not comply with product safety standards.
“In October last year, Fair Trading investigators visited the store at 244 Macquarie Street, Liverpool and found on sale the children’s toy, BEL Bo Er Le Cartoon House Piano,” he said.
“Rigorous testing revealed the toys failed to meet the requirements of the Australian toy standard due to small parts coming loose, potentially causing a choking hazard for young children.”
Mr Roberts said this result sends a strong message to suppliers that Fair Trading regularly inspects the marketplace.
“In the last financial year, Fair Trading investigators have visited more than 1,300 retail outlets in more than 300 towns, inspecting half a million toys,” he said.
“Suppliers and retailers of children’s toys must understand their obligations and obey the law.
“These laws exist to protect children from toys that pose a risk of injury and Fair Trading works tirelessly to ensure these products are removed from store shelves.”
Under the Australian Consumer Law introduced on 1 January 2011 traders face fines of up to $1,100,000 for corporations and $220,000 for individuals for supplying products that do not meet product safety regulations.
Mr Roberts said Fair Trading would not hesitate to take similar action against any supplier exposing the public to such dangerous products.
Tips on buying toys for children:
- buy washable, non-breakable toys for babies
- read the labelling on new toys. ‘Not suitable for children aged under three’ means there are small parts that could be swallowed – it is not an indication of skill level or intelligence
- check toys regularly for loose parts that may be choking dangers. Always read the label and any safety warnings
- toy chests and boxes should have a removable lid. Anything big enough to crawl inside must have ventilation holes, including tents. Helmets and masks must also have ventilation holes
- check that there are no gaps or holes that could trap a child’s fingers
- be wary of toys that make loud noises – they can be harmful to hearing
- check for sharp edges or rough surfaces – they can cause cuts and splinters
- ensure ride-on toys are appropriate for the age of the child and are stable
- check magnetic toys for loose magnets. If magnets are swallowed they may cause blockage of the digestive system and serious injury.
Contact details
General inquiries
NSW Fair Trading 13 32 20