The Consumer Council (CC) is pleased to submit views to the Child Fatality Review Panel concerning the initial findings letter dated 6 July 2023.
Case A3
CC supports the Child Fatality Review Panel to reiterate the importance of home furniture safety, especially in the safety of folding tables, and to raise public awareness in this area.
A folding table poses a significant safety risk within households. The majority of fatal accidents involving folding tables occur when the table is overturned and the legs are not securely locked. According to the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance, Cap.456, all folding tables are required to comply with the general safety requirements, which need to be equipped with safety locking devices to ensure the legs of the table will not accidentally fold up.
CC conducted a survey of folding tables in 2011, it was found that some models did not come with safety devices, and some models even though were installed with safety devices, did not have the necessary instruction labels on how to use the safety devices while in other cases user instructions or safety warnings were omitted.
The locking mechanisms of folding tables may vary across different products available in the market. Some folding tables may have locking devices that can be easily unfastened or disengaged, potentially increasing the risk of accidents. To address the concerns, CC suggests that the relevant government department in Hong Kong to conduct more frequent surveillance checks on folding tables. These checks would ensure that locking mechanisms are properly in place for folding tables, and the lock can be securely fastened, and not easily deactivated, particularly by children.
Furthermore, it is essential to label the folding table products with appropriate user instructions that clearly outline how to utilise the safety devices. Such labeling serves as a crucial safety reminder for consumers, ensuring that they are aware of the proper usage of the locking mechanisms.
CC has also observed instances where parents and caregivers unfasten the locking devices in folding tables for the sake of convenience. However, this behaviour would pose a potential threat to the safety of children in the vicinity. It is therefore imperative to raise public awareness, specifically among parents and caregivers, regarding the significance of consistently activating the safety locking devices. This is particularly crucial in households with young children.
Additionally, it is vital to remind parents and caregivers to maintain close supervision of their children at all times and to prevent them from playing alone near folding tables or treating the table as a toy. By emphasising these precautions, the risk of accidents can be further minimized, promoting a safer environment for children.
Case A11
CC supports the Child Fatality Review Panel’s recommendations to provide and strengthen public education on home safety about selection of qualified electrical goods and reliable shops.
CC has regularly published safety test reports on electrical products to educate consumers about selecting safe electrical goods. These reports not only help consumers identify which products meet safety standards but also alert them about the potential risks of substandard products. CC believes that providing consumers with knowledge about selecting quality electrical goods and trustworthy shops is paramount in reducing the risk of accidents.
CC recognizes the potential dangers associated with overcharging lithium-ion batteries, particularly in electric scooters, which can result in overheating and fire hazards. To address this concern, CC emphasises the importance of widely publicising the correct charging procedures for batteries to the general public. The public should be educated on essential charging practices, such as avoiding overcharging batteries and never leaving electric scooters or any home electronics unattended during the charging process. These guidelines serve as vital reminders to promote safe charging habits and prevent potential accidents. Furthermore, it is imperative to educate the public about the proper storage and charging locations for electric scooters. Individuals should be advised to avoid storing or charging their scooters in escape routes or in close proximity to combustible or flammable materials. By adhering to these precautions, the risk of fire incidents can be minimised.
CC would publish relevant articles to raise consumer’s awareness in battery safety and to provide knowledge of best practices in the usage and maintenance of lithium-ion batteries as appropriate.
Currently, the using of Electric Mobility Devices (EMDs), for example: electric scooters, electric unicycles, electric hoverboards, electric skateboards, electric bicycles, etc. on carriageways, footpaths or cycle tracks is not allowed under the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374), its subsidiary legislation and other relevant legislation. These products would not be licensed or registered as motor vehicles as they are not suitable for sharing road space with ordinary vehicles nor using on pedestrian roads.
CC believes that regular surveillance checks by relevant government departments are crucial in monitoring the quality and safety of EMDs in the market. By doing so, government departments can identify non-compliant products and take appropriate actions to protect consumers from potential hazards.
Apart from electrical safety, the physical and mechanical safety of the scooters is indeed crucial. In a test conducted by CC on children’s scooters published in the September 2017 issue of the CHOICE Magazine, it was observed that certain models exhibited weakness in the strength of their steering tube and platform. This deficiency could potentially lead to breakage and collapse, posing a risk for young children who may lose balance and fall off the scooter.
Moreover, CC also recommends strengthening parental education about the importance of providing children with appropriate protective devices, such as helmets and knee and elbow protective shields, when they are playing with toy scooters. These protective devices should be selected based on the child's head size and age to ensure optimal fit and protection.
Consumer Council
16 August 2023
