Consumer Affairs Victoria Acting Director David Joyner has issued an urgent public warning about light-up shoe charms and accessories that contain button batteries.
The items are designed to clip into the laces or holes of shoes and are being sold at various pop-up stores in shopping centres across Victoria.
Button batteries pose a serious health risk to children and other vulnerable people who may ingest them. They can burn through the oesophagus (swallowing tube) in just two hours, causing internal burns, severe bleeding or death.
Our officers have recently visited Chirnside Park, Northland and Melbourne Central shopping centres, seizing 80 of these products. We’re undertaking further inspections across Victoria.
Joyner has issued the warning because some of the light-up shoe charms currently being sold:
- don’t have their batteries adequately secured, making them easily accessible, or
- lack the required warning information about the danger button batteries pose.
He urged consumers to exercise caution, and said Consumer Affairs Victoria would remain vigilant in protecting the community.
“Our inspectors will be seizing unsafe products and removing them from sale as we find them.’’
If you’re unsure about the safety of a product you have bought or seen for sale, call us on 1300 55 81 81.
If you suspect someone has ingested a button battery, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for urgent advice. If they're struggling to breathe, call 000 immediately.