In Victoria, over a thousand products, including children’s toys, have been removed from retail outlets after the state’s consumer protection agency classified them as hazardous.

Consumer Affairs Victoria has been scrutinizing both major and minor retailers across Australia, along with online toy sellers, in the lead-up to the holiday season.

The recalled items encompass sunglasses, cosmetics, and apparel that lack proper material labeling, with a significant focus on toys identified as unsafe.

Particularly worrisome are toys containing button batteries, which pose significant risks to young children.

Nicole Rich, the Executive Director, emphasized that this initiative prioritizes the safety of children, rather than simply limiting holiday toy availability.

“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.”

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.