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While most (93 per cent) of the 819 products assessed by the ACCC met the standards around child-safe packaging and secure battery compartments, only 66 per cent featured the mandatory safety warnings and emergency advice.
“Button batteries are incredibly dangerous for young children. If swallowed, a button battery can get stuck in a child’s throat and cause catastrophic injuries,” ACCC Deputy Chair, Catriona Lowe said.
“It’s critical that businesses include safety information and emergency advice on button batteries and packaging, so consumers understand the risks associated with these products.”
Three children have died after ingesting button batteries in Australia and one child each month is made seriously ill.
When a battery is swallowed, a chemical reaction occurs that burns through tissue and seriously injures vital organs
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Since the new standards were introduced a year ago, the ACCC and state and territory consumer protection agencies have issued infringements, seized products and negotiated voluntary recalls to companies that failed to comply with the standards.
In April, The Reject Shop and Dusk paid a total of nearly $240,000 in fines for selling Halloween novelty products containing button batteries, allegedly without complying to the new regulations.
Many more products being sold online – many of which are from overseas traders – are not meeting the safety standards, the ACCC warned, including containing battery compartments that aren’t child-resistant.
The consumer protection agency is urging Australians to check any battery-operated toys or devices they have lying around at home, including those purchased before the new regulations came into effect.
Anyone who suspects a child has swallowed or inserted a button battery should contact the 24/7 Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for fast, expert advice. Consumers are urged to get help immediately and not wait for symptoms to develop.
