SINGAPORE — Tests of 16 baby carriers, cots and strollers sold online found that 11 of them did not comply with international safety requirements, product safety agency Enterprise Singapore warned on Tuesday (Nov 5).

The 11 products were sold on e-commerce platforms such as Lazada, Shopee and Qoo10, and have since been removed after notices were issued, the agency said in a media release. 

The four baby carriers, four cots and three strollers identified could pose hazards for children, including choking, entrapment, falling and laceration, it added.

BABY CARRIERS

The Mine 4 Position, OEM Adapt 3 Position, I-Angel Miracle Hip Seat and Sorbebe Airo Robic Hip Seat baby carriers were found to have instructions and warnings that were not in accordance with the requirements.

They were sold by Qoostore on Qoo10, Dreamworks Mart on Shopee, Koreanbabymarket on Lazada and Agape Babies respectively.

The Mine 4 Position and I-Angel Miracle Hip Seat baby carriers also had warning labels detached from the carriers. The fastener on the former was unable to support the weight of a baby and even broke during testing.

COTS

Tests conducted on the four cots also turned up worrying results.

For example, the edges on all of them were not well-rounded and instructions were either not in accordance with international requirements or were not in English.

A cot with the model number “SX” from SG Baby Shop and the Premium Baby Bed set from Jiji baby — both sold on Qoo10 — failed to meet minimum requirements for their internal dimensions, which could allow children to climb out and fall. Their locking devices could also be opened too easily and they had detachable small parts that could pose a choking hazard. The slats on both cots broke when subjected to a durability test.

The Milano Oxford 4-in-1 convertible cot sold by Baby Kingdom on Qoo10 had holes which could trap children’s fingers, while the Puku Izzy Foldable baby cot sold by Puku on Lazada had gaps where loops or loose pieces of clothing could get caught, posing a risk of strangulation.

The Puku Izzy Foldable baby cot’s castors, bed base and the gaps between its slats also did not meet standards.

STROLLERS

Three strollers sold on Qoo10 — the Baby Yoya Baby Cabin Travel by Best Deal Home, Belecoo Compact by The Living Store and Seebaby Little Monster — were called out for their poor restraint systems and fasteners that were unable to secure a child in the seat.

They tipped over when parked on slopes, and broke or collapsed when tested for strength. 

CHECK BEFORE BUYING

Enterprise Singapore said: “Consumers should check that children’s products have undergone the necessary safety tests before making purchases online as it is not possible to check the product physically prior to the purchase.”

It also urged consumers who have bought the products to immediately stop using them.

They may contact the sellers or the Consumers Association of Singapore for information on redress options.

Parents of young children are advised to buy products from official stores or reputable brands and sellers, check with sellers if the products meet relevant safety standards, and ensure instruction manuals and warning labels are included, the agency added. 

The 11 unsafe products are:

• Mine 4 Position baby carrier by Qoostore

• OEM Adapt 3 Position baby carrier by Dreamworks Mart

• Sorbebe Airo Robic Hip Seat baby carrier by Agape Babies

• I-Angel Miracle Hip Seat carrier by Koreanbabymarket

• Model number "SX" from SG Baby Shop

• Premium Baby Beed Set by Jiji Baby

• Puku Izzy Foldable Baby Cot by Puku

• Milano Oxford 4-in-1 Convertible Cot by Baby Kingdom

• Baby Yoya Baby Cabin Travel by Best Deal Home

• Belecoo Compact by The Living Store

• Seebaby Little Monster by Cutebaby