Safety warning over baby clothes after Hong Kong watchdog’s tests find more than half of items pose risks
- Consumer Council warns parents about small parts falling off baby and infant clothes
- Watchdog also says clothes should be washed thoroughly before using
More than half of baby and infant clothing items tested by Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog were found to pose safety risks for little ones, including easily detached snaps or buttons, faulty designs with a danger of strangulation and residual allergenic chemicals.
“Parents should take into consideration not only the price, appearance and fabric quality, but also potential safety hazards that may arise from the design or manufacturing process,” it said.
“The council urges manufacturers to not only focus on style but also evaluate risks when designing products.”
The watchdog found that 11 of 30 common models of clothes it tested – known as “Kimono baby gowns” or “butterfly rompers” – had snaps or buttons that came off during tension tests, failing to comply with European standards for toy safety.
The tests were conducted by applying a tensile force of 90 newtons to various attachments to the clothing samples and holding them for 10 seconds.