30/08/06
Consumer Protection's annual safety inspection of the show bags to be sold at the Perth Royal Show has found two banned items and a number of objects of concern.
Consumer Protection Minister Michelle Roberts said the most serious discoveries were a children's spring-loaded umbrella and a beanbag without a child resistant slide fastener.
"Both of these items will be withdrawn from show bags as a result of our checks," Mrs Roberts said.
"Product safety officers inspected 266 show bags this year, and found items of concern in 68 bags."
The Minister said the bags were checked for novelty items and toys which were banned, did not have the correct labelling, or did not meet other strict safety requirements.
"Children's spring loaded umbrellas have been banned in Western Australia since 2003 because the speed and the force at which the umbrellas open is excessive," she said.
"The protective tips readily dislodge from the wire spokes and pose a risk to children's eyes.
"Since 1986, beanbags have been required to have a child resistant slide fastener on any opening because the foam beads are a choking and inhalation hazard."
The other items of concern found in the bags included:
- sharp edges on a children's drawing book;
- a string on a whistle in a toddler's bag which posed a strangulation risk;
- foam toys, including gliders and sun visors, which did not have warnings advising that the foam can break apart and pose a choking hazard; and
- plastic container bags which did not have sufficient air holes or a suffocation warning.
"Consumer Protection sets very high standards and has strict guidelines for vendors selling products at the show," Mrs Roberts said.
"All the items found by the department will be removed from the bags or made to comply with safety regulations, and officers will continue to do spot checks on show bags throughout the show."
The Minister said officers would also visit novelty stallholders at the start and throughout the Royal Show to ensure that items being sold were safe for children.
"Last year, three stallholders were caught selling dangerous Yo-Yo balls, and one trader is currently being prosecuted after ignoring previous formal warnings not to sell the balls," she said.
"Yo-Yo balls were banned in 2003 because the elasticised cord attached to the liquid-filled plastic balls can strangle a child."
Traders who failed to ensure the items they sold met strict safety standards could face penalties of up to $20,000 for individuals and up to $100,000 for corporations.
Mrs Roberts also urged parents to be vigilant when buying toys and novelties for their young children at the Royal Show.
"As a rule of thumb, parents of children aged three years or younger should avoid any toy which has parts which can fit into a 35mm film canister," she said.
"These small parts can lodge in a child's throat and choke them.
"We would also advise against buying projectile toys which can be modified to fire sharp objects such as nails or pencils which can cause severe eye injuries."
The Minister said anyone with concerns about the safety of products being sold at the Perth Royal Show should contact Consumer Protection on1300 30 40 54.
Minister's office - 9213 6600
