Christmas decorations and small children’s toys are under heavy scrutiny as parents are warned to make sure none of the items on their trees or in stockings have been recalled.
Aussie parents are being warned to keep their children away from cheap and potentially dangerous stocking-filler toys.
The ACCC has issued recalls for more than 20 different products since late October as it warns of the deadly risk these products could pose to young children.
Children under three did not have a gag mechanism and could easily choke on small toys if they did put them in their mouths, ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard told Channel 7’s Sunrise program.
“Check the presents are age appropriate, even if your child is a genius … do not buy it,” Ms Rickard said.
“Use a choke check cylinder, if a toy fits in that, do not use it, and read the safety warnings and follow it.
“If the toy fits in there, you know, that is not safe.”
Buttons or batteries were a major issue for child safety in Christmas decorations, with the ACCC issuing recalls for products that did not comply with the mandatory safety standards for items containing the batteries.
The recalled gifts, sold by Oceania International, were available for sale between August 1 and September 16 this year, the watchdog said.
“The battery compartment is not adequately secured, so one or more button batteries in the products may be easily accessible,” the ACCC said.
“If young children gain access to the button batteries and ingest them, they are likely to suffer severe internal burn injuries, which can result in serious injury or death.
“Button batteries also pose a choking hazard to young children.”
Ms Rickard said the battery-powered decorations could easily be plucked from where they were hanging by eager children.
“Kids love sparkly and flashy things … but the small parts are a hazard, so take a minute and check it with the choke test … and if it’s small enough to fit in there then it’s not going on the tree,” she said.
The ACCC advised consumers to immediately stop using any of the affected products and store them safely away from children.
The items can be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.