Protect Our Children: Make Retail Fixtures in Australia Safe - Radio Haanji
Host:-
Gautam Kapil
My name is Maureen, and I’ve started a petition calling for urgent child safety measures in retail stores after my 2-year-old daughter was injured by a metal hook at toddler height.
In this episode, we share a heartbreaking yet urgent story that no parent should have to experience. A 2-year-old girl was seriously injured at a local shopping centre after being struck in the eye by a protruding hook on a sock rack — an accident that was entirely preventable. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident.
Across Australia, children have been hurt by unsafe store fixtures, some left with permanent scars or vision loss. While some retailers have improved their displays, many still use hazardous hooks and racks at toddler eye level. Shockingly, there are still no mandatory national safety standards for retail fixtures.
We discuss the urgent reforms being called for, including:
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Mandatory rounded or covered hook ends
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Higher placement of sharp fixtures
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Secure, stable display units
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Child safety audits in retail spaces
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Mandatory staff training on hazard prevention
Shopping centres should be safe havens for families — not places where toddlers face life-changing injuries. Listen as we explore why this issue has been overlooked, what’s at stake, and how you can help push for stronger retail safety laws in Australia.
Here’s the petition link: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/Pages/ePetition-details.aspx?q=BylbCIY2N7HWwva5wEPYqg
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