Child safety warning: Playpens sold on Amazon, eBay and Kogan pose strangulation, other injury risks

The risk of a child being strangled is among the serious hazards posed by playpens for sale in stores and online, but a budget Kmart model has come up trumps.

Online marketplaces Amazon and eBay are among those named and shamed for selling playpens that fail safety standards, but a surprise recommendation has gone to a budget retailer.

Remarkably, there is no Australian standard for playpens, so consumer advocacy group Choice conducted testing on 26 playpens ranging in price from $89 to $399 based on standards for other relevant products as well as international standards.

The most expensive one, the Baby Care BP-001 model, got one of the worst ratings at 33 per cent, on par with the Cuddly Baby BP-C-19P model, priced at $209.

Both were found to have entrapment hazards and strangulation risk, while the Baby Care product was deemed a poor structure, with a risk of the infant falling or escaping.

The Nanny Annie 19696 model scored just 20 per cent, with hazards including limb entrapment. Picture: Choice.

Playpens produced by ABST got the two worst ratings.

The company’s Bubble playpen (ABST-BL20 model), priced at $170, scored a dismal 18 per cent with five serious safety failures, including major finger, limb and head entrapment hazards, the gate being insufficiently childproof and potential footholds that can be used for climbing out.

The ABST Running Bear playpen (AOLE-BBX16 model), priced at $160, had the same failings plus the potential for a child’s clothing to get snagged and pose a strangulation hazard, scoring just 19 per cent.

Not far behind at 20 per cent was the $90 tent-like Komodo Indoor Outdoor Kids Playpen Instant Set Up, sold by Kogan, which had a major head entrapment hazard and was prone to collapsing, Choice said.

“If you’ve bought one of these playpens, Choice recommends that you discontinue use and seek a refund from the retailer,” testing expert Kim Gilmour said.

“Retailers and buy, swap, sell platforms should remove these products.”

Choice testing expert Kim Gilmour says all retailers should stop selling unsafe playpens. Picture: Choice

She said it was pleasing Amazon Australia had removed from sale the 14-panelled Gupamiga PLP-14WL004-15 model, priced at $160, since being notified by Choice.

“But more action is needed,” Ms Gilmour said.

“All retailers should stop selling unsafe playpens.

“Parents need to watch out for unsafe playpens that may still be available at other retailers or sold second hand.”

Choice only recommended two playpens – the Kmart Anko 3-in-1 playpen (42193715 model), priced at $129 and scoring 76 per cent, and the Dreambaby Royale Converta 3-in-1 priced at $149 and scoring 74 per cent.

An $89 playpen scored just 36 per cent, slightly better than a $399 model that scored only 33 per cent. Picture: Choice

The cheapest playpen the group reviewed, the Nanny Annie Happy Panel plastic playpen, scored just 36 per cent and was found to even pose a risk to adults.

“Extreme amount of effort is needed to connect/disconnect the panels; care must be taken to avoid injury,” the review read.

The review once again shows spending more by no means guarantees quality, with an $89 playpen scoring slightly better than a $399 model.

A recent Choice report showed Kmart’s Anko own-brand products often rivalled – or even outperformed – far more expensive major brands.

Top picks included its playpen, a $29 pie maker, an $89 coffee machine that beat a $949 rival and a $29 cast iron casserole pot that was found to be “up there with big-name brands such as Le Creuset, Chasseur and Staub”.

Originally published as Child safety warning: Playpens sold on Amazon, eBay and Kogan pose strangulation, other injury risks