QLD: Minster sacks some of Santa's toys

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2009
QLD: Minster sacks some of Santa's toys

By Darren Cartwright

BRISBANE, Dec 5 AAP - A Christmas blitz on unsafe toys has resulted in retailers across
Queensland being fined thousands of dollars and 17 items being removed from sale.

The Office of Fair Trading inspected more than 5,500 toys from 200 stores during it's
annual safety campaign in the lead up to Christmas and found the overwhelming problems
were with discount stores.

Among the items banned were a bamboo bow and arrow set, a bird house baby rattle, a
toy musical hammer and a combat set containing plastic handcuffs and hand grenades.

State Minister for Fair Trading Peter Lawlor said on Saturday he would prefer all retailers
sold only safe toys but was pleased there were fewer banned toys and prosecutions this
year than in 2008.

"These are just some examples of the dangers that can be presented to younger children,'
he told AAP.

"The major retailers are pretty good with regard to the safety of their toys.

"It's at the lower end, discount area of the market that presents the biggest danger
with these cheaper types of imported toys.

"There's various issues. Choking is one issue but projectile toys are an issue and
there's a variety of safety aspects to all toys."

Three retailers were prosecuted for non-compliance.

Dollars & Sense, at Mitchelton in Brisbane's north, was fined $4,000 for selling a
Musical Honey Bear, and Sunrise Imports was fined $3,000 for selling bow and arrow toys
and a dart gun. Retailer Direct Savings was fined $4,800 for a toy gun that fired darts
small enough to choke a child.

Some products were permanently banned from Queensland markets, including Bindeez Beads,
Fire Foot Bags and the amazing Jumbo Light Up Ball.

"There's an obligation on the importers and the retailers that what they are selling
complies with safety regulations," Mr Lawlor said.

"There's fewer prosecutions this year than last year so maybe the message is getting
through to the retailers.

"All of these toys resulted in prosecutions."

He warned parents to still be on the look-out for potentially problem toys all year
round and not just in the lead-up to Christmas.

"No matter of what the Office of Fair Trading does, the important thing is the parent
has the responsibility, and should be vigilant about what they purchase for their children."

Mr Lawlor said they shared their finds with other states.

Consumers can also visit the national product recalls database at www.recalls.gov.au
to check if they have any recalled toys and are eligible for a full refund.

AAP dac/sn/cjb

KEYWORD: TOYS (PIX AVAILABLE)

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