Dangerous baby dummies removed from sale - a warning to parents
Issue Date: - Monday, 15 June 2009
Consumer Protection in Western Australia is supporting a national recall of dangerous baby dummies that pose a potential choking hazard.
The Baby Joy Orthodontic Pacifiers Soft Natural Latex and the Baby Pacifier 2 dummies failed stringent safety tests and could become stuck in a baby's mouth and block their air supply.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Anne Driscoll said the safety shields on these two dummies are not the required size to stop the dummies from lodging in a child's throat.
"The teat and ring on the Baby Pacifier 2 dummies detached during safety testing which is another serious choking hazard," Ms Driscoll said.
"The dummies are manufactured in Taiwan and China and sold in a variety of discount stores across Australia.
"These dummies have failed to meet the basic mandatory safety requirements and pose a serious health risk to babies.
"I urge consumers to discontinue use immediately and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund."
Almost 20,000 Baby Joy Orthodontic Pacifiers Soft Natural Latex dummies were sold nationally between January 2007 and May 2009 and about 4,500 Baby Pacifier 2 dummies were distributed nationally between June 2004 and December 2006.
Consumers with any queries or refund problems, should contact the Consumer Protection Advice Line on 1300 30 40 54.
Safety checklist for parents
Baby dummies may help comfort young children but poorly designed and manufactured dummies can present the following hazards to infants and toddlers:
- choking - the dummy or teat may break apart and small pieces may get stuck in a child's throat, or the entire dummy may become stuck in a child's mouth blocking air supply;
- strangulation - dummies attached to children's clothes by a string or a ribbon can strangle the child if the string wraps around the child's neck; and
- cuts and abrasions - are the most common injuries when a child falls over with a dummy in their mouth.
When shopping for baby dummies, always check for the following:
- a safe shield size and shape;
- ventilation holes;
- secure teat attachment;
- structural integrity;
- packaging and label warning together with the distributor's details.
Parents should always perform the following safety checks to keep their baby safe:
- check the dummy every time before use, by pulling hard on the teat and tugging on the handle and ring to make sure they will not give way under pressure;
- check the teat for wear and tear;
- sterilise or wash the dummy regularly;
- supervise your baby with the dummy;
- never leave the dummy in direct sunlight as it may cause the rubber to melt or perish.