CPSO urges consumers to look out for safety hazards when purchasing baby products and toys online

26 SEP 2024

MR No.: 034/24

Singapore, Thursday, 26 September 2024

  1. The Consumer Product Safety Office (CPSO) has uncovered safety issues in three categories of products for toddlers and children, namely (i) baby bouncers; (ii) baby walkers; and (iii) toys1 sold on two major e-commerce platforms Shopee and Lazada. This was detected following market surveillance efforts in the first half of 2024, where 23 product samples2 purchased from the e-commerce platforms were inspected. Of which, 15 samples were found to be unsafe as they did not meet applicable product safety standards under the Consumer Protection (Consumer Goods Safety Requirements) Regulations (CGSR).

  2. Common hazards identified in these non-compliant products, include:

    • Baby bouncers with small, detachable parts that can cause choking and/or stability issue that can lead to toppling.

    • Baby walkers with non-compliant openings and crevices that can lead to entrapment and stability issue that can lead to toppling.

    • Toys with small and easily removable parts or magnetic parts, which present risk of choking and strangulation

    (Refer to Annex A for list of unsafe products and safety hazards detected).

Safety incidents involving children’s products

  1. In Singapore, safety incidents involving the use of such children’s products have continued to occur. On average, the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) sees over 10 cases of child injuries arising from the use of baby walkers and bouncers each year. These injuries include fractures and head injuries due to falls, lacerations by sharp points, and second-degree burns when children in walkers are unsupervised and get access to areas with hot liquids.

  2. Incidents involving toys with small or magnetic parts also remain frequent, with the hospital registering an average of 46 such cases per year over the past two years. In severe cases, small strong magnets that have been ingested by children accidentally can trap the intestines between them, leading to blockages or puncture the intestinal walls. Small parts of toys that may become detached and swallowed can also cause choking, and result in death if the windpipe of the child is completely blocked.

Ensuring product safety for children

  1. Following the market surveillance, CPSO has engaged the relevant retailers, and they have since removed all the non-compliant products for sale. Consumers who have purchased the affected products are advised to stop using them; those who may have purchased similar products should also note the potential hazards. CPSO will continue to engage e-commerce platforms regularly and work with them in advising their sellers on the importance of complying with the CGSR.

  2. Consumers also play an important part in ensuring the goods that they buy online are safe, since they may not be able to physically inspect the products at the point of sale. They can refer to the following safety tips when purchasing children’s products online (Refer to Annex B for more product-specific safety tips):

    a. Buy from official stores or reputable brands and sellers;

    b. Check online listings and product labels for age and safety instructions. Caregivers should use this information to determine product suitability for their child. If in doubt, do not purchase, allow use or play.

    c. Examine both positive and negative product reviews from other buyers to gauge the product’s quality and potential safety concerns;

    d. Contact the seller for more information if the product listing or label does not clearly explain its features, functionality, and safety instructions;

    e. Inspect the product once received for any broken or unsafe parts before use;

    f. Supervise your child when they are using or playing with the product.

  3. Under the CGSR, suppliers and manufacturers of general consumer goods have to meet applicable international safety standards by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), European Committee for Standardisation (EN), and ASTM International. Any person who fails to comply with the CPSO’s directions to stop the sale of unsafe products, is liable upon conviction, up to a fine not exceeding S$10,000 or to an imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

  4. The CPSO also encourages consumers who encounter product safety issues to report them to us at consumerproductsafety@enterprisesg.gov.sg. For more information on product safety, visit the CPSO’s website at www.consumerproductsafety.gov.sg.

Annex A: List of Unsafe Products and Hazards Identified

Annex B: Product-specific Safety Tips

1 Toys tested include those identified with potential mechanical or magnetic hazards.

2 23 samples tested include 5 baby bouncers, 5 baby walkers, and 13 toys.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Desmond Chua

Business Partner

Corporate Communications

Email: desmond_chua@enterprisesg.gov.sg