The Australian Consumer Council is investigating children’s products over concerns they could be dangerous to children.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is investigating the safety of head restraints for child car seats and devices that help babies self-feed from bottles after the assistant treasurer issued warnings about both products.
According to the ACCC, both products have been linked to fatalities overseas.
The straps attach to the top of car seats and are marketed primarily online by third-party sellers as convenient accessories that help children keep their heads up while driving.
They are available in different designs and colors.
Concerns have been raised with the ACCC that the products ‘may alter the alignment of a child’s head, neck and spine as the torso moves forward during a motor vehicle accident’.
This can increase the risk of spinal cord injury and possible death. In addition, there is a risk of suffocation or strangulation if the headband snaps around the child’s mouth or neck.
While there have been no fatalities in Australia, the ACCC reported that in 2021, an eight-month-old baby died in the United Kingdom from suffocation due to a headband.
The ACCC has warned that the headbands could cause injury or death to a young child
Under the Australian Consumer Law, child seat suppliers are prohibited from selling the product. However, online sales are not prohibited.
Under the Australian Consumer Law, child seat suppliers are prohibited from selling the product. However, online sales are not prohibited.
Meanwhile, warnings are being issued about the potential for choking hazards for babies who cannot regulate their own milk flow.
These products fall into two categories: “self-feeding pillows,” often called “anti-spit pillows” or “feeding pillows/bottle holders,” and hands-free baby bottle holders that often attach to bibs, strollers, or cribs.
Both forms of choking can cause a baby to choke because he or she cannot control the flow of fluid.
The ACCC warns that there is an increased risk of suffocation if the baby’s head moves, which could cause the baby to suffocate.
Self-powered devices are also being investigated.
The use of baby bottle feeding products is not recommended following advice from the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments.
The ACCC is aware of four fatal accidents involving self-feeding and supported products in the US and UK since 2015.
Currently there are no mandatory product safety or information standards for these products in Australia.
Safety warnings have been issued to alert consumers to the potential risks of injury or death to infants associated with the products.
“The ACCC is investigating the safety of both products to determine whether they could cause harm to people and to what extent regulatory action is needed to prevent their supply or mitigate the safety risks,” said Catriona Lowe, deputy chair of the ACCC.
The ACCC warns parents not to use the products
‘The head restraints on child car seats are marketed as a support for sleeping children, but the safety warning that accompanies these products warns of the potential risk of serious head, neck and spinal cord injuries in a road traffic accident.’
Ms Lowe said the self-feeding baby bottle devices are designed to feed babies unaided, but they can cause choking, aspiration pneumonia, suffocation or ear infections.
“The ACCC is not aware of any reports indicating that these products have been directly linked to injuries or deaths in Australia, but there have been concerning reports of deaths overseas,” she said.
“Protecting vulnerable young children and improving online product safety are priorities for the ACCC,” Lowe said.