Published
NSW Fair Trading Minister Anthony Roberts is urging NSW consumers to consider Dad’s safety in the lead up to Father’s Day.
Mr Roberts said NSW Fair Trading traditionally issued pre-Father’s Day warnings on electrical product safety on items including electric razors and power tools.
“Those warnings are still current and consumers should make sure any such products have Australian approval marks and operate at the correct voltage,” he said.
“In 2010/11 NSW Fair Trading officers inspected 40,276 electrical articles at 942 shops across the state,” he said.
“Two hundred and fifty-five investigations were undertaken and 757 non-compliant items were detected, so there is a real risk for consumers if they don’t make sure electrical products are approved. People should exercise particular caution when buying for Dad at markets and discount stores.
“This year I am also warning NSW fathers about the perils of Do it Yourself vehicle maintenance. A national campaign by the ACCC and all consumer regulators will be officially launched on 1 September.”
Mr Roberts said the campaign slogan, Don’t be a jackass with jacks, would raise awareness about DIY vehicle maintenance safety, particularly in relation to working under cars using vehicle jacks, stands and ramps.
“Follow these tips and stay safe when working on your vehicle,” he said.
- Park the vehicle on a hard level surface such as a concrete driveway.
- Before you raise the vehicle, chock the un-lifted wheels and engage the park brake.
- Refer to the workshop manual for your car to locate the lifting point to position the jack under your vehicle. If the incorrect lifting point is used, the jack could slip or tip.
- Watch carefully while raising your vehicle. Check the head plate of the trolley jack is sitting squarely on the point you are lifting and make sure the jack is able to roll slightly to allow for the change of angle as the vehicle is raised.
- If you are using support stands, ensure you locate the correct position for them before slowly lowering the jack so the vehicle is resting on the stands. Ensure your vehicle is secure on the stands before getting under it.
- Don’t be a jackass with jacks: never place any part of your body under a vehicle unless it is sitting securely on support stands or ramps; never allow a person or pet to remain in the vehicle while it is being jacked; and, never exceed the weight capacity of the jack.
Contact details
For more information about NSW Fair Trading and to check for approval marks on electrical goods, go to NSW Fair Trading website or call NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20.
For more information on product safety, go to www.productsafety.gov.au