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Keeping baby safe: Report unsafe productsReport unsafe productsIf you have questions on the products in this Guide, experience an accident or near miss because ofa product, or suspect a business is selling non-compliant or banned products, please contact oneof the following government consumer protection agencies. Any information you provide may helpthese agencies identify problems and protect other consumers, including children of all ages.Consumer protection agenciesYou can use these details—or those found on the directory at www.productsafety.gov.au—to askquestions or report unsafe products.NationalSouth AustraliaAustralian Competition andConsumer CommissionGPO Box 3131Canberra ACT 2601T. 1300 302 502www.productsafety.gov.auOffice of Consumer& Business AffairsGPO Box 1719Adelaide SA 5001T. (08) 8152 0732www.ocba.sa.gov.auFollow us on Twitter:@ACCCProdSafetyTasmaniaLike us on Facebook: ACCC Product SafetyAustralian Capital TerritoryOffice of Regulatory ServicesGPO Box 158Canberra ACT 2601T. (02) 6207 0400www.ors.act.gov.auNew South WalesNSW Fair TradingPO Box 972Parramatta NSW 2124T. 13 3220www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.auNorthern TerritoryContact the ACCC(see National for details)QueenslandOffice of Fair TradingGPO Box 3111Brisbane QLD 4001T. 13 QGOV (13 7468)www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au6Office of Consumer Affairs& Fair TradingGPO Box 1244Hobart TAS 7001T. 1300 654 499www.consumer.tas.gov.auVictoriaConsumer Affairs VictoriaGPO Box 123Melbourne VIC 3001T. 1300 558 181www.consumer.vic.gov.auWestern AustraliaDepartment of CommerceLocked Bag 14Cloisters Square WA 6850T. 1300 304 054www.commerce.wa.gov.au

You can also find contact details for theselocal agencies in your telephone directory:Kidsafe—The Child AccidentPrevention Foundation of Australia local government maternal and childhealth centreswww.kidsafe.com.au children’s hospitals community health centresSIDS and Kids metropolitan and country fire servicesContact SIDS and KIDS for safe sleepinginformation for your baby. policewww.sidsandkids.orgNational office (03) 9818 459524-hour grief support 1300 308 307 road traffic authorities ambulance services.Keeping baby safe: Report unsafe productsFurther informationPoisons Information Service13 11267

Keeping baby safe: Items not meant for babiesItems not meant for babiesAntique cotsBabies are at risk in antique cots. These cotsdon’t meet modern safety standards—they arereally only for show. Don’t be tempted to use anantique cot because it looks great or has been inyour family for a long time: your baby’s safety ismuch more important.Second-hand dealers and other businessesmust not sell antique cots without the warningcertificate and labels listed in this Guide.BalloonsKeep balloons, including burst balloons, awayfrom babies— they can place the rubber overtheir mouths or inhale a small piece that couldcause them to suffocate or choke.Banned products/products thatdon’t meet mandatory standardsCheck the list on page 4, and productinformation throughout this Guide, to makesure your children are never exposed tounsafe products.Batteries for toysMake sure batteries for mobiles, musical toys,toys with moving parts and night lights areenclosed and secure. Only adults should be ableto open the battery case. If swallowed, smallbatteries can cause your children to choke,suffocate or become seriously ill.Take extreme care when using products withcoin-sized lithium button batteries. Be awarethat a number of household products, includingbathroom scales and remote controls fortelevisions and garage doors can contain buttonbatteries. If a child swallows a button battery,the battery can get stuck in the child’s throatand burn through the oesophagus in as littleas two hours. Repair can require feeding andbreathing tubes and multiple surgeries.For more information on button batteries, visitwww.thebatterycontrolled.com.au.Bean bagsBabies can become seriously ill or die afterinhaling or swallowing the small beads that fillbean bags. Keep these fillings, and any otherproducts used for beanbags, away from yourchildren’s reach. Never fill or refill beanbags8around young children. Never put your baby tosleep on bean bags—the small beans can formaround the face and smother the baby.Bunk bedsThe suitable minimum age to use a bunk bedcan vary greatly depending on your child'smaturity and development. It’s generallynot recommended that you use the upperbunk bed or an elevated bed for childrenunder nine years of age and definitely not forchildren under six years old. Children havebeen seriously injured when falling from bunkbeds; falls represent over 75 per cent of injuryincidents that occur with bunks or elevatedbeds. Children under six account for morethan 50 per cent of the total injuries withthese products.Serious injuries can also occur if the bunk bedis poorly made or inappropriately used. Yourchildren could: get concussions and/or fractures after fallingfrom an upper bed or ladder—falls are themost common cause of injury and can be fatal strangle or accidentally hang themselvesif their head or neck gets caught betweengaps in and around the bunk bed, or if theirclothing gets snagged on parts of the bed injure their head, arms and/or legs if thesebecome trapped in gaps in the bunkbed structure.To prevent these injuries, never allow yourchildren—no matter how old they are—to playon bunk beds. Make sure bunk beds have guardrails on both sides and ends, even if one sideis against a wall. Remove access ladders whennot in use so small children cannot climb onthem. Place the bunk bed at least two metresaway from any ceiling fan and away from otherhazards like windows, or blind or curtain cords.Educate and inform your children about thedangers of playing on bunks or elevated beds.Cot and bed restraintsCot and bed restraints used to secure yourchildren with ties or straps can strangle them.Don’t use these types of restraints unlessadvised to do so by a medical practitioner, andbe sure to follow all instructions for safe use.

Always keep cigarette lighters out of yourchildren’s reach and follow their warninginstructions. Never allow children of any age toplay with, or operate, cigarette lighters.Domestic treadmillsDomestic treadmills are meant for adults, notfor children.Children have been taken to hospital to betreated for: injuries that result from becoming trapped orwedged under a treadmill cuts, bruises, cut or broken fingers causedwhen on, or near, a treadmill serious friction burns, which can requirepainful skin grafts.Store your treadmill away from young children,and don’t use it if your children are in the room.Safety tips Read the treadmill’s operating and safetyinstructions carefully before use. Always keep young children away from yourtreadmill, especially when it’s plugged in. Keep the treadmill’s safety and operatingkey hidden from your children. When not in use, switch off the power toyour treadmill at the wall and unplug it. Keep your treadmill in a locked room,if possible. Never allow your children to stand on amoving treadmill deck.Flashing imitation dummiesFlashing imitation dummies are noveltiesintended for teenagers and adults. Never givethem to your children—they can cause chokingand strangulation.Hot water bottlesNever use hot water bottles with babies.Children have sensitive skin and can easily sufferserious burns and scalds from contact with a hotwater bottle, and from leaking hot water bottles.Plastic children’s productswith DEHPThese products are banned. For full details, seepage 29.Toys and finger paints containinglead and other elementsToys and finger paints containing unacceptablelevels of lead and other elements are banned.For full details, see page 50.Toys for children over three yearsof ageBabies often like to play games with their olderbrothers and sisters, but toys designed for olderchildren can be dangerous for babies. Theymay have small parts or may break easily intosmall parts.As a natural part of their development, babiesoften place items in their mouths and can easilychoke or suffocate if a small part gets stuck intheir throat. Always watch babies closely whenthey’re playing with older children. Never allowolder children to play with projectile toys andballoon-blowing kits with babies.Keeping baby safe: Items not meant for babiesDisposable cigarette lightersToys with small magnetsMany toys with small magnets are not safe forbabies or toddlers. For full details, see page 53.Also, there is a ban on small, high poweredmagnets that are: small enough to fit into a cylinder pencilsharpener (approximate diameter 32 mm) are marketed or supplied for use as any of thefollowing: toy, game or puzzle (including but notlimited to an adult desk toy, an educationaltoy or game, a toy, game or puzzle formental stimulation or stress relief) a construction or modelling kit jewellery to be worn in or around themouth or nose.TrampolinesKeep toddlers away from the sides of, endsof and underneath trampolines being used byolder children. Toddlers can be seriously injuredfrom falls, pinching and crushing if they usetrampolines or are near a trampoline othersare using.Very old furniture and toysWhile it may lovely to receive old cradles, highchairs, toys and other items that look charmingand have fond memories, these products likelydo not meet modern safety standards. Use thisGuide to check older items before you use themor give them to your children. If in doubt, don’tuse them.9

Keeping baby safe: Hazards around the homeHazards around the homeMany new parents are surprised that the mostcommon place for babies to be injured is inand around the home.Some common hazardsBabies can suffer serious injuries, illness andeven death because they don’t know how toidentify or understand dangerous situations,and they don’t have the physical skills neededto quickly get out of danger. As a parent, it’srecommended that you get down on yourhands and knees and conduct—from yourbaby’s perspective—a thorough inspection ofyour home for hazards, before your child is oldenough to experience these hazards themselves.Children can suffer injuries after falling fromfurniture and play equipment, through windowsor down stairs.Understand and remove hazardsIt’s important to understand the hazards listed inthis section and throughout this Guide.Follow these easy steps to remove hazards frominside and outside your home: only choose products that suit your child’sage, weight and size follow instructions for assembly and use stay within sight and reach of babies andtoddlers—don’t leave them in the care ofother children regularly check products to ensure latches,locks, brakes and frames work—make surethere are no torn fabrics or accessible smallparts that may cause choking, or gaps thatmay trap your baby or allow your baby tofall through get damaged products repaired immediatelyby the manufacturer dispose of damaged children’s products thatcan’t be repaired keep a well-stocked first aid kit in your homeand take a first aid courseFallsChokingBabies and toddlers often place things in theirmouths. Small objects, such as broken piecesof toys, pieces of fabric, coins, button batteries,nuts and lollies, can easily lodge in their throatand block their airway.StrangulationChildren can become tangled in ribbons, ties, orblind and curtain cords. These can quickly wraparound their throat and strangle them.SuffocationWhen babies have their faces trapped againstbedding, fabric, pillows, mattresses or softtoys, they may not be able to roll away and canquickly suffocate.CrushingBabies and toddlers climbing onto or holdingunstable furniture can quickly pull it down onthemselves. They can also crush their fingers inmoving parts on items such as doors, drawers,prams, strollers, high chairs, portable cotsand playpens.TrappingGaps in equipment that are 30 mm to 50 mmwide can trap your baby’s legs or arms. Gapsbetween 95 mm and 230 mm can trap yourbaby’s head by allowing their body, but nottheir head, to fit through the space. This canstrangle them.CutsSharp edges on toys, equipment and benchescan cause cuts. Any folding frames and movingparts need a safe space between moving parts(at least 5 mm to 12 mm), so they don’t act likescissors on your children’s fingertips.10

Burns, scalds and electrocutionBabies and toddlers can quickly drown in evenvery small amounts of water. Always emptybuckets, nappy buckets, basins and bowls ofwater after use, or place them out of reach.Install four sided fencing, and self-closing, selflatching gates around pools, as required bylaw. Never leave your baby or toddler alone in abath, bath aid, paddle pool or basin of water—even for the shortest time. Remember, aquatictoys, flotation aids and bath aids are not safetydevices. There is no substitute for good, close(at arm’s length), competent adult supervisionaround water. You may also want to considertaking a course on water safety so you are betterprepared in the event of an emergency. Keep your children away from hot food anddrinks, electrical appliances, barbecues andtreadmills—these products have causedserious burns and/or electrocution.Poisoning Place poisons in a secure place, such asan out-of-reach cupboard that is at least1.5 metres above floor level. Put matches and lighters out of reach andinstall stove barriers, hotplate guards, powerpoint covers, hot tap safety covers and hotwater temperature control valves. Never let your children play in the kitchenwhile you’re preparing meals. Burns andscalds have occurred after children havepulled on electrical appliance cords forthings like cookers, kettles or fry pans.Keeping baby safe: Hazards around the homeDrowning You should also install and maintain smokealarms, place a fire blanket and extinguisherin the kitchen, develop a home fire escapeplan and practise it regularly. Always choose medical and cleaningproducts with child-resistant packagingor closures. Place child-resistant locks oncupboards, garden sheds and garage doors. Use door barriers and door knob coversto prevent access to rooms where poisonsare kept.11

12Keeping Baby Safe

Product information

14Keeping Baby Safe

Children can drownif their flotation oraquatic toy failsor if they don’t useit properly.HazardsSafety tips death by drowning To avoid drowning, make sure a competentperson is close by and constantlysupervising your children when they’reusing flotation and aquatic toys. These arenot safety devices. permanent brain injury causedby immersionChildren can drown if their flotation or aquatictoy fails or if they don’t use it properly. Childrenrevived from near-drowning may sufferpermanent brain injury from lack of oxygen tothe brain.What to look forMandatory standardThe mandatory standard for flotationand aquatic toys is based on AS/NZSISO 8124.1:2002.Compulsory labelFlotation and aquatic toys must be permanentlymarked with this warning notice:WARNINGAQUATIC TOYUSE ONLYUNDER SUPERVISIONKeeping baby safe: Aquatic toysAquatic toys Follow the manufacturer’s age and/orweight recommendations when choosingflotation and aquatic toys for your children.For instance, flotation toys for youngerchildren may not be able to support anolder child’s body weight. Read warning labels and packagingcarefully and follow instructions forproper assembly and use. Your childrencan drown if they don’t use these typesof toys properly or if the toys deflateduring swimming. If you’re near any child who is injured whileplaying with a toy in the water, rememberthat they are at greater risk of drowning.If this happens: take the child out of the water check that the child is not concussed orseriously injured keep the child out of the water if thereare signs of illness or injury.Read the label and always closely supervisechildren when they’re using flotation andaquatic toys.15

Keeping baby safe: Baby bath aidsBaby bath aidsNever leave your babyalone in a bath—ignoreall interruptions or takeyour baby with you if youmust leave the room.HazardsSafety tips drowning Never leave your baby alone in a bath aid—ignore all interruptions or take your babywith you if you must leave the room. permanent brain injury causedby immersionWhat to look forMandatory standardThe mandatory standard requires bathaids and their packaging to carry stronggraphic warnings.Compulsory labelBaby bath aids must be permanently markedwith this warning notice:16 Fully support your baby with your hand atall times when they are in a bath aid. Get your baby’s clothes ready before youstart bathing them. Preferably bath your baby without a bathaid so you’re not tempted to leave them,even for a few seconds.Never use bath aids with suction cups if yourbath has: an uneven surface a slip-resistant base chipped or worn enamel.

Only use a framed carrier forbabies who are four or fivemonths old, as younger babiescan suffer neck injuries.HazardsSafety tips falling Always use restraining straps. finger traps and pinching Always bend from the knees, not the waist,when lifting baby carriers so your babydoesn’t fall out.What to look forOnly use framed carriers for babies afterconsulting with a health professional, as youngerbabies can suffer neck injuries.A baby carrier should have: clear instructions sturdy materials and heavy duty fastenersKeeping baby safe: Baby carriersBaby carriers If bending, make sure your baby can’t reachother hazards. Before each use, check for ripped seams,missing or loose fasteners and frayed seatsor straps. Don’t use the carrier if you see these or anyother signs of damage. padding on any metal frames that will be nearyour baby’s face safe folding frame joints no sharp points or edges restraining straps, including ones that willcover your baby’s shoulders straps you can adjust with one hand a broad hip or waist stra

A detailed guide for consumers A guide to infant and nursery products www.accc.gov.au. A guide to infant and nursery products . Report unsafe products 6 Items not meant for babies 8 . Baby exercise jumpers 20 Baby slings 21 Baby walkers 23 Bassinettes 24 Bouncinettes 25 Change tables 26 Child car restraints 27 Children's nightclothes 28 .