11 unsafe products found among baby carriers, cots and strollers: Enterprise Singapore
SINGAPORE — Several types of children’s products were found not to have complied with international safety requirements, according to Enterprise Singapore.
In a media release on Tuesday (5 November), the regulatory agency for general consumer products’ safety said it conducted tests on 16 products – six baby carriers, five cots and five strollers.
Of the 16 products, 11 were found to be unsafe as they may cause choking, entrapment, falling or laceration.
The list of unsafe products can be found here. The key safety issues found among these products are:
Baby carriers: The fastener broke as it was unable to support the weight of a baby, and there was lack of instructions on proper usage and precautions to take note of.
Cots: Cot slats did not meet height requirements, and broke easily when tested. There are raised surfaces or bumps found in the cot, as well as sharp edges on the cot. Small cot parts were easily detachable, posing risks of suffocation if swallowed by a child.
Strollers: Restraint system and fasteners were unable to secure the child in the seat. Some strollers had poor stability, causing them to tip over when parked on slopes. Some were damaged or collapsed when tested for strength, resulting in impairment of safety features such as locking mechanism, restraint system, and parking/braking devices.
Products available on e-commerce platforms
All 11 unsafe products were available on e-commerce platforms. Suppliers of these products have removed them for sale following the notices issued by Enterprise Singapore.
Consumers who have bought the listed models should stop using them immediately. They may contact the sellers or the Consumers Association of Singapore for information on redress options. Those who may have bought similar products should note the above safety issues.
Consumers can observe the following safety tips when buying children’s products:
Buy from official stores or reputable brands and sellers;
Check with the sellers that the product has met relevant safety standards;
Ensure an instruction manual is provided and warning labels included;
Note and follow the age and weight recommendations;
Check if a safety alert has been issued. Visit the Enterprise Singapore website, or other international sites such as US Safer Products.
Any person who fails to comply with Enterprise Singapore’s directions to stop the sale of unsafe products can be jailed up to two years or fined up to $10,000.
Consumers can report product safety issues to Enterprise Singapore at 1800-7733163 or email the agency at consumerprotection@enterprisesg.gov.sg.
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