As Victorians eagerly await the arrival of the Christmas season, a concerning trend has emerged – unsafe products are making their way onto store shelves, putting families at risk.
In a recent inspection blitz, Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) uncovered over 1,000 items that failed to meet mandatory safety and labeling standards. Nicole Rich, director of CAV, warned, “The pre-Christmas rush brings a surge in sales, which is why it’s more important than ever for consumers and retailers to take extra care with the products they choose.”
Some of the seized items included Christmas decorations with unsecured button batteries, which can be deadly if swallowed by children, as well as press-on nails lacking proper ingredient listings, potentially exposing shoppers to harmful chemicals.
Minister for Consumer Affairs Nick Staikos emphasised the gravity of the situation, stating, “Whether you’re delivering gifts, decorating or dressing up, the holidays should be a time of happiness, not hazards and hospital visits.”
CAV has worked to remove these dangerous products from store shelves, with inspectors conducting 111 store visits since November.
“Our product safety officers are visiting retailers all over Victoria in the lead up to Christmas to ensure that dangerous products are far away from the shelves,” Ms Rich said.
However, the battle is far from over, as Mr Staikos warned, “We know that Christmas is a magical time and we want to keep it that way – that’s why our inspectors are on the ground right up until Christmas Day working to ensure safety and peace of mind for both children and parents.”
Victorians can play a vital role in keeping their families safe by closely inspecting products, checking for safety warnings, and reporting any concerns to CAV’s product safety hotline on 1300 36 48 94 or visit consumer.vic.gov.au
