- Online sweep reveals widespread safety failures in Halloween products
- Just three out of 49 items met mandatory button battery safety and information standards
- Cook Labor Government working with platforms to remove listings and consider recalls
Families are being warned of alarming safety issues uncovered during a recent sweep of Halloween-themed products sold across six major online shopping platforms.
Of the 49 button battery-powered items purchased and inspected by the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety's (LGIRS) Consumer Protection team, only three appeared to meet the requirements of the mandatory safety and information standards.
Nearly 80 per cent of the items inspected failed safety standards, including unsecured battery compartments that allowed button batteries to be easily accessed, posing a serious risk to young children.
This safety failure was identified across a range of product types, including costume accessories, skeleton candlesticks, spider tea lights, pumpkin tote bags and flashing finger rings.
In one particularly troubling case, button batteries had dislodged from a Halloween light during transit and were discovered loose inside the packaging upon delivery.
Almost all items were missing mandatory warning labels alerting consumers to the presence of button batteries, which can cause life-threatening injuries if swallowed.
The six online platforms have confirmed that the non-compliant product listings have been removed.
The Department has engaged with platforms and sellers on further actions that may be necessary to protect consumers, including for a recommendation for sellers to initiate voluntary product recalls where required.
When buying button battery operated products, the Cook Government urges parents and guardians to check the products carefully - including doing a simple drop-test to identify any loose components - before handing them over to children.
For more information on how to keep your family safe, visit the Consumer Protection website: www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au/publications/halloween-safety-tips
As stated by Commerce Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"The State Government has taken swift action and worked with online platforms to remove unsafe listings and encourage further steps, such as product recalls, and this demonstrates our strong commitment to protecting families and ensuring accountability.
"These findings show hidden hazards are continuing to find their way onto online marketplaces, and that consumers need to be extra vigilant when buying children Halloween products online.
"While we cannot actively regulate the safety of every product arriving in WA, we can help educate consumers on detecting unsafe items this Halloween and I encourage everyone embracing this tradition to check the Consumer Protection website for safety tips."
