Babies' dummies and dummy chains with decorations, or 'bling' have been banned nationally by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, David Bradbury, after work by NSW Fair Trading identified an urgent safety risk.
"Diamantes, crystals, beads and other decorations attached to the outside of a dummy, including the shield and handle, or to chains or other products designed to attach a dummy to an infant's clothing, can pose a serious choking hazard if they become detached," Mr Bradbury MP said today.
"Testing by NSW Fair Trading of such products indicated that the dummies failed tension tests, with a number of crystals becoming detached and posing a serious choking, inhalation or ingestion hazard.
"For this reason, I have placed an interim ban on babies' dummies or dummy chains with attached decorations, effective immediately.
"Suppliers, including retailers, should urgently check their stock and remove any such products from sale.
"Parents and carers who already own a 'bling dummy' or 'bling chain' are urged to keep it away from their infant.
"The interim ban will be in place for a period of 60 days, during which time the ACCC will invite relevant suppliers to call a conference to discuss the ban in more detail. The ACCC will also conduct further testing of relevant products during this time.
"I would like to thank NSW Fair Trading for bringing this matter to the attention of the ACCC, enabling swift national action to ensure the safety of Australian infants," Mr Bradbury said.
For details of the interim ban, and product safety generally, visit www.productsafety.gov.au. You can also follow Product Safety at the ACCC on Twitter: @ProductSafetyAU.
14 July 2011