In today’s world, online shopping has become incredibly popular, especially as more people look for cheap deals to help with the rising cost of living. First, it was eBay, then came Wish, and now a new low-price store has taken over. Temu offers a wide range of products at unbelievably low prices. I love Temu. It’s a boon for this book-loving, crafter’s heart and finding niche gifts (or kitchen items) at a fraction of the cost.
However, recent investigations by CHOICE have uncovered serious button battery safety issues with toys sold on Temu, raising concerns about the risks associated with buying cheap items online.
What Did Choice Find?
CHOICE tested 15 random products sold on Temu and found that ALL OF THEM failed to meet Australian safety standards, particularly regarding the safety of button batteries. The investigation showed that unsafe toys and novelty items pose significant hazards to children.
It’s a worrying set of results, given Temu’s surging Australian popularity
The results were alarming too. Every product contained button battery hazards, meaning they could be dangerous if accessed by young children. The investigation found that most of the tested items had unsafe battery compartments, which can lead to serious injury or even death if a child ingests a button battery.
“Every product tested failed at least one requirement under the Australian button battery regulations.” Expert testers said.
3 Important Failures on Button Battery Safety
1. Easily Accessible Button Batteries
One major issue found was that several toys had battery compartments that were too easy for young children to open. Of the products tested, 7 did not have secure battery compartments. For instance, an LED tutu skirt priced at $12.79 was particularly alarming, as its lithium battery compartment could be opened without any tools, posing a serious risk to children. Although the specific model tested has been removed, similar products are still available on Temu, and it’s unclear if they now comply with safety regulations.
A coin cell charger came with two lithium batteries came in a small Ziploc bag, easily accessible to children.
2. Non-Captive Screws
Another problem identified was non-captive screws in 7 toys, meaning the screws could easily be lost when changing the batteries. This can allow children to open the cover and access the batteries inside. According to Australian Toy Safety Standards, a captive screw that stays attached to the battery cover is required, yet many products do not meet this requirement.
3. Labelling Failures
In addition to physical hazards, the investigation found that 14 out of 15 products lacked the necessary button battery safety alert symbols on their packaging. Many of the safety labels present, such as choking hazard warnings, were printed in such small text that they were virtually unreadable.
Buyer Beware!
Temu has since removed the products that failed safety testing, including the LED tea lights, electronic writing pad, and light-up tutu. But similar products still remain. This incident raises concerns about the platform’s ability to detect and remove unsafe products effectively.
Temu has become popular in Australia, with a Roy Morgan survey revealing that 3.8 million Australians aged 14 and over have shopped on the site at least once in the past year, and a staggering 80% of these are repeat customers. With such a rapid rise in popularity, the urgency for safety measures is greater than ever.
Temu’s Commitment to Safety
While Temu claims to require sellers to submit documentation affirming product safety, it has not yet signed the Voluntary Product Safety Pledge that other major online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon have committed to. This pledge commits marketplaces to 12 product safety-related actions, including taking down unsafe product listings quickly.
CHOICE has urged Temu to sign this pledge to enhance consumer safety.
“Our spot check suggests more needs to be done to reduce the number of problematic items sold in the first place.”
Call for Government Action
CHOICE is advocating for a general safety provision that would make it illegal to sell unsafe products in Australia. This would apply to all online marketplaces, including Temu, which continues to sell products that may not comply with local laws.
“Big companies like Temu continue to flout mandatory button battery safety requirements, putting children in Australia at risk of serious injury or even death,” Andy Kelly, CHOICE deputy director of campaigns and communications said.
Button Battery Safety Tips for Consumers
When purchasing products online, especially those powered by button batteries, consumers should follow these safety tips:
- Check Battery Compartments: Ensure that the battery compartment is secure and childproof.
- Look for Warning Labels: Always check for proper safety labels, including the button battery warning symbol.
- Inspect for Damage: Regularly check toys and products for any damage, and if any part seems unsafe, stop using it immediately.
- Dispose of Button Batteries Safely: Tape both sides of used button batteries, store them in a child-resistant container, and recycle them at designated drop-off points.
- If you suspect a child has swallowed or inserted a button battery: Contact the 24/7 Poison Information Centre on 13 11 26, and Triple Zero (000) immediately if your child is having any difficulty breathing.
While the allure of cheap online shopping is hard to resist, the safety of your children should always come first. Stay informed and vigilant when buying products, especially from platforms like Temu, to ensure you’re not risking their well-being.
