​Hong Kong Customs today (March 31) reminded members of the public to stay alert to an unsafe model of a cot. Test results indicated that the cot might pose a safety hazard. To avoid an accident, parents should immediately stop letting their children use the cot. Traders should also remove the cot from their shelves.
Customs officers earlier test-purchased a model of a cot for safety testing from a children's products retailer in Tsim Sha Tsui. Test results revealed that the zippers of the cot had easily detachable small parts which could pose a risk of suffocation to children if swallowed by them. Moreover, the material of the zippers released excessive organic tin, to which chronic exposure may harm children's health.
Customs later conducted an operation and seized two suspected unsafe cots of the same model from the children's products retailer. A prohibition notice was served at the same time to prohibit the continued sale of the cot concerned.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing and using cots:
Customs is committed to safeguarding consumers' safety and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on children's products to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.
Under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import unsafe toys or children's products. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.
Members of the public may report information relating to suspected unsafe toys or children's products via Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, March 31, 2023
