Hong Kong Customs today (August 14) alerted members of the public to two unsafe models of children's swimwear sets and one unsafe model of children's swim trunks. Test results indicated that the cords of the swimwear sets and the drawstring of the swim trunks could pose strangulation and injury hazards to children. The public is advised not to let children wear these swimsuits to ensure their safety.
Customs officers earlier conducted a spot check operation and test-bought children's swimwear for safety testing from retailers of sporting goods and children's clothing. An examination by the Government Laboratory revealed that the cords near the neck part of two children's swimwear sets were found to pose a risk of strangulation while the waist drawstring of a pair of children's swim trunks was too long and could cause injury by becoming tangled with other objects. All three models of swimwear have not complied with the relevant safety standard, in contravention of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance.
During the operation, Customs seized 11 pieces of the suspected unsafe children's swim trunks from a sporting goods retailer and the office of its supplier. The other two models of children's swimwear sets have not been found.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs reminds parents that safety of children should be the paramount concern when purchasing swimwear and they should observe the following safety tips:
- Pay attention to the style and design as well as the structure of the swimwear to see if there is any potential hazard;
- Beware of whether the cords are too loose when purchasing swimsuits with neck cords;
- Beware of whether the drawstrings are too long when purchasing swim trunks with waist drawstrings; and
- Choose a suitable size. Children should not wear swimsuits that are too tight or too loose.
Customs attaches great concern to consumer interests and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on consumer goods to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.
Under the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import consumer goods unless the goods comply with the general safety requirements for consumer goods. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent convictions.
Members of the public with information relating to unsafe consumer goods may make a report via Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
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