How to use home furniture, fittings and other items safely
Our product guides help you be safe when buying and using products inside the home.
Freestanding furniture and TVs can cause serious injuries or death if they are unstable and tip over.
Children are at risk of choking on bean bag filling or suffocating when bean bags are damaged or unsafe. Make sure you buy a bean bag that has a warning label and a child resistant closure.
Blinds and curtains with long, unsecured cords are a strangling risk for children. Make sure you buy blinds and curtains with safe design features and that all long cords are secured.
Children are at risk of serious injury if bunk beds are poorly made. Make sure you buy a bunk bed that meets the mandatory safety standard.
Some household products, like laundry capsules and caustic soda-based cleaners, contain chemicals and poisons that can be dangerous. Button batteries are also a high risk for children.
Decorative alcohol fuelled devices, such as ethanol fireplaces and burners, are designed for domestic use. They produce a flame using alcohol as fuel. Larger models also may provide heating.
A hot water bottle is a sealed container filled with hot water used for easing pain, or for warming a bed or parts of the body. They should be replaced every year.
How to use fire extinguishers safely
Aerosol fire extinguishers are designed to put out small fires. Check that the fire extinguisher meets the mandatory safety standard.
Non-aerosol fire extinguishers are designed to put out small fires. Make sure you're using an extinguisher that meets the mandatory standard.
Banned products
Bans are placed on products when there is a risk that they may cause serious injury, serious illness or death. If a product is banned, it must not be supplied in Australia.
Candle wicks that contain more than 0.06% lead are permanently banned for sale in Australia. This includes wicks sold with a candle or separately.
This permanent ban applies to candle holders and candle decorations that are a fire risk.
Mini jelly cups containing konjac and in small cups sized 45 mm or less in height or width are a choking hazard. They are permanently banned from sale in Australia.