Kids' Toys Fail Safety Tests!

Consumer advocacy group Choice has raised concerns after a recent investigation found that a majority of children's toys from online retailers did not meet Australia's stringent button battery safety standards. Seventeen out of twenty-four tested toys from platforms like Shein, AliExpress, eBay, and Amazon exhibited significant safety flaws.

These identified issues included batteries that could be accessed without tools, a direct contravention of safety regulations designed to prevent accidental ingestion. Additionally, many toys lacked essential safety alerts and warning statements, leaving consumers unaware of potential hazards. The range of affected products included items like fidget spinners and light-up mouthguards.

This discovery highlights a critical gap in online product safety. Families are urged to be vigilant when purchasing toys online and to check existing toys for accessible button batteries, ensuring compliance with national safety standards to protect children from harm.