Repeat offender pays for ignoring toy safety

NSW Fair Trading Minister Anthony Roberts today warned consumers to exercise caution when dealing with a variety store business convicted of selling dangerous children’s toys and unlabelled children’s sunglasses from two outlets in metropolitan Sydney.

Mr Roberts said Mainleading Pty Ltd, trading as Kogarah Shopping Paradise and Campsie Shopping Paradise, recently pleaded guilty to seven breaches of the Fair Trading Act 1987 for selling toys and unlabelled goods that failed to comply with product safety standards.

“The company was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling $7,904 by Parramatta Local Court,” he said.

The dangerous toys included a ‘Pokemon’ plush toy, ‘Likeable Music Series’ and ‘Handa (Super Series) Fun Car Truck’ sold at the Kogarah store and the ‘Music instrument Piano’, 3 piece ‘Babies toys’ squeaky toys and the ‘Bel Er Le Cartoon car piano’ sold at the Campsie store.

Rigorous testing revealed the toys presented a potentially fatal choking hazard due to small parts.

Mr Roberts said this was the third time Mainleading Pty Ltd had been prosecuted by NSW Fair Trading for selling unsafe toys.

“Just twelve months ago, Mainleading Pty Ltd, trading as Rockdale Shopping Paradise, was ordered to pay almost $3,000 by Parramatta Local Court for supplying dangerous children’s toys,” he said.

“Between 2004 and 2007, Mainleading Pty Ltd, trading as Rockdale Shopping Paradise and Campsie Shopping Paradise, was warned and convicted for supplying unsafe children’s toys.

“This sort of recalcitrant behaviour puts Mainleading in the worst class of trader. They know the law and there is no excuse for ignoring it.”

Mr Roberts said selling toys that put children’s lives at risk was utterly unacceptable.

“The law is very clear when it comes to the supply and sale of toys, if it doesn’t meet the standard, it does not belong on traders’ shelves,” he said.

“This conviction is a reminder to traders that NSW Fair Trading closely monitors the marketplace and you never know where they will visit next.”

Mr Roberts said NSW Fair Trading would not hesitate to take similar action against any supplier exposing the public to such dangerous products.

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.

Tips on buying toys for children:

• Check for sharp edges or rough surfaces as they can cause cuts and splinters.
• Buy washable, non-breakable toys for babies. Anything small enough to fit into a 35mm film canister can choke a child under three years old.
• Toy chests and boxes should be designed not to close on top of children, or better still, with a removable lid. Anything big enough to crawl inside must have ventilation holes.
• Read the age labelling on new toys. ‘Not suitable for children under three’ means that there are small parts which could be swallowed; it is not an indication of skill level or intelligence.
• Check toys regularly for loose parts that may be choking dangers.
• Check there are no gaps or holes that could entrap a child’s fingers.
• If buying a projectile toy, only choose ones that have soft, one-piece darts or non-removable suction caps.
• Be wary of toys that make loud noises as they can be harmful to hearing, particularly toys held against the ear, such as walkie talkies and toy mobile phones.
• Check for ventilation before buying tents, masks, helmets etc.
• Ensure ride-on toys are appropriate to the age of the child and are stable. Toy bikes should have effective brakes that can be applied by the rider.
• Check toys that contain magnets to ensure they have not come loose. Remove loose magnets from the toy box.