More than a thousand items, including toys, have been pulled from shelves in Victoria after the state’s consumer watchdog deemed them too dangerous for sale.
Consumer Affairs Victoria has been targeting small and large retailers in Australia, as well as those selling toys online, before Christmas.
Items pulled off shelves include sunglasses, cosmetics and clothes that do not display what they are made out of, with dangerous toys also part of the recall.
Thousands of items, inlcuding toys, have been pulled off Victorians shelves ahead of Christmas. (AP)
Toys with button batteries are of particular concern due to the dangers they can pose to young children.
Executive Director Nicole Rich insisted this was being done for the safety of children, and not to take away toys at Christmas.
“There’s just no excuse,” she said. “Button batteries are a known killer.
“Young children are attracted to them. If a child swallows one, they can hurt or kill a child in just a few hours.”
On-the-spot fines are being handed down to those falling foul of the rules. (Jason South)
Consumer Affairs Minister Nick Staikos echoed the message.
“We’ll do the worrying, so families and children can have a happy and, most importantly, a safe Christmas,” he said,=.
“It’s not just at Christmas time and [pulling] out those unsafe items, it is about protecting the safety of all Victorians.”
On-the-spot fines are being issued for retailers falling foul of the law in person, while the attempt to police online retailers continues.
Rich said there were no standout retailers breaching laws consistently, but said it was their obligation to protect Australians.
“Whether you are deliberately not complying or you just don’t understand the obligations, it’s not acceptable to put people, and particularly kids, at risk,” she said.