Published
NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe is warning consumers about the dangers associated with wheat bags and in particular, plush toys containing wheat bags.
The Commissioner said NSW Fair Trading had referred concerns about the supply of child appealing plush toys containing wheat filled heat bags to the national Product Safety Consultative Committee.
“These products are available nationally ranging in price from $8 to $20 and in child appealing characters including a lady bug, cow, duck, tiger, pig, hippo, giraffe and puppy dog,” he said.
“There are a number of companies importing such products and they are marketed for children and therefore this is a risk of them being given to children to take to bed to keep them warm.
“There is a real risk these products could be used contrary to the manufacturers’ instructions, which in most cases are in fine print on the packaging.
“Furthermore, there is also a risk for people from non-English speaking backgrounds who may not fully understand the dangers associated with wheat bags and the use of them in bedding, especially for children.”
Mr Stowe said Fair Trading would continue working with suppliers to ensure public safety and he recommended people pay heed to advice provided by Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) and the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) on wheat bag fire hazards and safety tips.
NSW Fair Trading and FRNSW are developing a public education campaign highlighting the fire risks associated with the use of microwaveable personal warmers, with particular reference to risks for the elderly and young people.
This follows recommendations by the NSW Coroner relating to the death of an elderly woman in NSW in 2011.
For more information and fact sheets about wheat bag safety go to www.productsafety.gov.au, www.fire.nsw.gov.au and www.tga.gov.au
Contact details
NSW Fair trading enquiries: 13 32 20