With just over five weeks until Christmas, consumer advocates are encouraging Australians to be vigilant about safety when shopping online, especially when buying presents from overseas.
Maurice Blackburn product safety lawyer Alison Barrett said while all retailers are required to meet safety standards when selling in Australia, this can be difficult to enforce across international borders.
“It can be tempting to snap up a Christmas bargain online, but it’s important to remember products from other countries may not always comply with Australian safety standards,” Ms Barrett said.
“In particular, when it comes to things like children’s toys, electronic goods and cosmetics, it pays to do your homework on safety when buying online.
“Unsecured button batteries and poorly manufactured items that break down into small pieces are swallowing and choking hazards for young children.
“Other risks include products with poor labelling or instructions that result in them being used incorrectly and unsafely.
“In my work, I’ve seen how an unsafe product can cause serious harm, or in some tragic cases, even death.
“We don’t want to see anyone’s Christmas ruined by a faulty or unsafe product.”
The National Retailers Association estimates Australian shoppers will spend more than $5 billion in online shopping this Christmas.
Ms Barrett advised that when buying online, shoppers should ask suppliers if products from overseas complied with any mandatory safety requirements.
She also recommended consumers check the Product Safety Australia website
