Warning for kids products linked to deaths

Children’s products are under investigation as Australia’s consumer watchdog holds serious concerns they could lead to the death of infants.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is investigating the safety of children’s car seat head straps and baby bottle self-feeding devices, after the assistant treasurer issued warning notices for both products.

Both products have been linked to fatalities overseas, the ACCC has said.

The straps attach to the top of car seats and are predominantly marketed online by third-party sellers as useful accessories that help keep children’s head up while driving.

They come in multiple designs and colours.

Concerns have been raised with the ACCC that the products may “alter the alignment of a child’s head, neck and spine while the torso moves forward during a motor vehicle accident”.

This could increase the risk of possible spinal cord injuries and potential death, and presents a possible risk of suffocation or strangulation should the head strap slip around the child’s mouth or neck.

While there have been no fatalities in Australia, the ACCC said an eight-month-old infant was killed in the UK in 2021 as a result of suffocation connected to a head strap.

Australian Consumer Law prevents suppliers of child restrains from selling the product, but this does not stop them from being sold online.

Meanwhile, the baby bottle self-feeding devices are warned as a potential choking hazard for infants who cannot regulate the flow of milk, and a suffocation risk.

These products fall into two categories – “self-feeding pillows”, which are often referred to as “anti spitting pillows” or “baby feeding pillows/bottle holders”, and hands-free baby bottle holders which commonly attach to bibs, prams, or cots.

Both types may cause an infant to choke as they cannot control the flow of the liquid.

The ACCC warns they also increase the risk of suffocation if the baby’s head moves, leading it to be smothered.

The use of baby bottle self-feeding products is not recommended according to Commonwealth, state and territory government advice.

The ACCC is aware of four fatalities associated with self-feeding products and propped products in the US and UK since 2015.

There are currently no mandatory product safety or information standards that apply to these products in Australia.

Safety warning notices have been issued to warn consumers of the possible risks or injury or death to infants associated with the products.

“The ACCC is investigating the safety of both of these products to determine if they will or may cause injury to any person, and the extent to which regulatory action is needed to prevent their supply or mitigate safety risks,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

“Aftermarket children’s car seat head straps are marketed as a support for sleeping children, but the safety warning notice issued about these products warns about the possible risk that in motor vehicle accidents they may cause severe head, neck, and spinal cord injuries.”

Ms Lowe said the baby bottle self-feeding devices are designed to feed infants without assistance, but it can cause suffocation, aspiration pneumonia, choking or ear infection.

“While the ACCC is not aware of any reports where these products have been directly linked to injuries or deaths in Australia, alarmingly there have been reports of fatalities overseas,” she said.

“Protecting vulnerable young children and strengthening product safety online are priorities for the ACCC,” Ms Lowe said.