In right this moment’s world, on-line procuring has turn into extremely in style, particularly as extra individuals search for low cost offers to assist with the rising price of residing. First, it was eBay, then got here Want, and now a brand new low-price retailer has taken over. Temu provides a variety of merchandise at unbelievably low costs. I like Temu. It’s a boon for this book-loving, crafter’s coronary heart and discovering area of interest items (or kitchen objects) at a fraction of the associated fee.
Nonetheless, latest investigations by CHOICE have uncovered severe button battery issues of safety with toys offered on Temu, elevating considerations in regards to the dangers related to shopping for low cost objects on-line.
What Did Selection Discover?
CHOICE examined 15 random merchandise offered on Temu and located that ALL OF THEM failed to fulfill Australian security requirements, significantly concerning the protection of button batteries. The investigation confirmed that unsafe toys and novelty objects pose vital hazards to youngsters.
It’s a worrying set of outcomes, given Temu’s surging Australian reputation
The outcomes had been alarming too. Each product contained button battery hazards, that means they might be harmful if accessed by younger youngsters. The investigation discovered that a lot of the examined objects had unsafe battery compartments, which might result in severe harm and even loss of life if a youngster ingests a button battery.
“Each product examined failed at the very least one requirement underneath the Australian button battery laws.” Professional testers stated.
3 Necessary Failures on Button Battery Security
1. Simply Accessible Button Batteries
One main problem discovered was that a number of toys had battery compartments that had been too simple for younger youngsters to open. Of the merchandise examined, 7 didn’t have safe battery compartments. As an example, an LED tutu skirt priced at $12.79 was significantly alarming, as its lithium battery compartment might be opened with none instruments, posing a severe danger to youngsters. Though the precise mannequin examined has been eliminated, related merchandise are nonetheless accessible on Temu, and it’s unclear in the event that they now adjust to security laws.
A coin cell charger got here with two lithium batteries got here in a small Ziploc bag, simply accessible to youngsters.
2. Non-Captive Screws
One other downside recognized was non-captive screws in 7 toys, that means the screws might simply be misplaced when altering the batteries. This could permit youngsters to open the duvet and entry the batteries inside. In accordance with Australian Toy Security Requirements, a captive screw that stays hooked up to the battery cowl is required, but many merchandise don’t meet this requirement.
3. Labelling Failures
Along with bodily hazards, the investigation discovered that 14 out of 15 merchandise lacked the mandatory button battery security alert symbols on their packaging. Most of the security labels current, corresponding to choking hazard warnings, had been printed in such small textual content that they had been nearly unreadable.
Purchaser Beware!
Temu has since eliminated the merchandise that failed security testing, together with the LED tea lights, digital writing pad, and light-up tutu. However related merchandise nonetheless stay. This incident raises considerations in regards to the platform’s capability to detect and take away unsafe merchandise successfully.
Temu has turn into in style in Australia, with a Roy Morgan survey revealing that 3.8 million Australians aged 14 and over have shopped on the positioning at the very least as soon as prior to now yr, and a staggering 80% of those are repeat clients. With such a speedy rise in reputation, the urgency for security measures is bigger than ever.
Temu’s Dedication to Security
Whereas Temu claims to require sellers to submit documentation affirming product security, it has not but signed the Voluntary Product Security Pledge that different main on-line marketplaces like eBay and Amazon have dedicated to. This pledge commits marketplaces to 12 product safety-related actions, together with taking down unsafe product listings rapidly.
CHOICE has urged Temu to signal this pledge to reinforce shopper security.
“Our spot verify suggests extra must be achieved to scale back the variety of problematic objects offered within the first place.”
Name for Authorities Motion
CHOICE is advocating for a normal security provision that will make it unlawful to promote unsafe merchandise in Australia. This might apply to all on-line marketplaces, together with Temu, which continues to promote merchandise that will not adjust to native legal guidelines.
“Huge corporations like Temu proceed to flout obligatory button battery security necessities, placing youngsters in Australia prone to severe harm and even loss of life,” Andy Kelly, CHOICE deputy director of campaigns and communications stated.
Button Battery Security Ideas for Shoppers
When buying merchandise on-line, particularly these powered by button batteries, shoppers ought to observe these security ideas:
- Test Battery Compartments: Be certain that the battery compartment is safe and childproof.
- Search for Warning Labels: All the time verify for correct security labels, together with the button battery warning image.
- Examine for Injury: Frequently verify toys and merchandise for any injury, and if any half appears unsafe, cease utilizing it instantly.
- Get rid of Button Batteries Safely: Tape each side of used button batteries, retailer them in a child-resistant container, and recycle them at designated drop-off factors.
- For those who suspect a baby has swallowed or inserted a button battery: Contact the 24/7 Poison Data Centre on 13 11 26, and Triple Zero (000) instantly in case your youngster is having any problem respiratory.
Whereas the attract of low cost on-line procuring is difficult to withstand, the protection of your youngsters ought to at all times come first. Keep knowledgeable and vigilant when shopping for merchandise, particularly from platforms like Temu, to make sure you’re not risking their well-being.
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