Seller of dangerous baby dummies fined
Issue Date: - Tuesday, 22 December 2009
A Boulder retailer has been fined $700 today in the Kalgoorlie Court for selling dangerous imitation baby dummies that were subject to a product safety ban.
Michelle Anne Hider, who operates the store Bold-Da Home Interiors in Burt Street, Boulder, was also ordered to pay court costs amounting to $880.
Product safety officers discovered the imitation dummies on sale at the store during an inspection in July 2008. The dummies had been banned after the Commissioner for Consumer Protection issued a prohibition order in September 2004 as the items posed a choking hazard.
The case went before the Kalgoorlie Court after Ms Hider failed to pay an infringement notice issued by the Commissioner and opted instead to have the matter dealt with by a court.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Anne Driscoll said product safety officers would remain vigilant in ensuring that dangerous products are not being sold in Western Australian stores.
"This court case highlights the need for retailers throughout the State to ensure that the products they sell are safe and, if in any doubt, they should check with Consumer Protection," Ms Driscoll said.
"It’s essential that the safety of consumers is protected at all times, especially products designed for babies and small children."
Consumers and retailers can find out more information on banned products from the following website: http://bizline.commerce.wa.gov.au/productsafety or can contact Consumer Protection on 1300 30 40 54 or consumer@commerce.wa.gov.au
END OF RELEASE(NOTE: Photos of the imitation dummies are available upon request)
Media Contact: Alan Hynd, 9282 0961 or 0429-078791, alan.hynd@commerce.wa.gov.au