Hong Kong Customs alerts public to one model of unsafe cot (with photo)
​Hong Kong Customs today (March 3) reminded members of the public to stay alert to an unsafe model of a cot. Test results indicated that the cot might pose a structural safety hazard. To avoid an accident, parents should immediately stop letting their children use the cot. Traders should also remove the cot from their shelves.
Customs officers earlier test-purchased a model of a cot for safety testing from a children's products retailer in Sham Shui Po. Test results revealed that breakage was observed on the cot after impact tests, which would pose a falling and injury risk to users. Moreover, Customs also found that the cot failed to bear identification markings and bilingual warnings or cautions as stipulated in the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance (TCPSO).
Customs later conducted an operation and seized one suspected unsafe cot of the same model from a branch of the children's products retailer in Yuen Long. A prohibition notice was served at the same time to prohibit the continued sale of the cot concerned. Moreover, Customs officers also conducted spot checks and inspections in various districts and have found no such cot for sale so far.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing and using cots:
- Pay attention to age recommendations shown on labels;
- An examination should be carried out after assemblage to make sure that the cot stands safely;
- Advice and instructions for users should be read carefully before using the cot;
- Check the structure of the cot to see, for example, whether it has a fragile structure, hidden sharp points, rough surfaces, sharp edges or gaps that may pinch children's fingers; and
- Stop using the cot immediately if any damage is observed or it is found to be unstable.
Customs is committed to safeguarding consumers' safety and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on children's products to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.
Under the TCPSO, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import unsafe toys or children's products. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on a subsequent conviction.
Members of the public may report information relating to suspected unsafe toys or children's products via Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
