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CHOICE have reported that numerous Portacots have failed mandatory Australian standards.

Ten out of 12 portacots failed to meet mandatory safety standards.

While BIG W has voluntarily recalled its Dymples portacot in response, the other portacots from these brands are still on the market.

CHOICE claims ten out of 12 portacots tested by CHOICE in May 2018 failed to meet mandatory Australian safety standards, posing suffocation and injury risks to babies, and all 12 failed the stricter voluntary standard.

CHOICE estimated that these 12 portacots represent approximately one-third of models currently available through major stores.

“We have tested more than 91 portacots since 2000, and the great majority of models fail to completely meet the mandatory safety standard, let alone the more stringent voluntary standard,” says Chris Barnes, CHOICE product category manager household.

“The 12 portacot brands in our May 2018 test all fail to meet the voluntary safety standards, so we don’t recommend any portacot products.”

What the manufacturers told CHOICE:

Big W (Dymples portacot)
“Big W customers have been returning their portacots and have received a full refund and appreciated the notification. The customer response has been positive thus far,” says Vanessa Churnin, head of communications and corporate affairs, Big W.

“Meanwhile, we have commenced investigations to determine why the product has now failed testing when the manufacturer had previously provided test reports showing that the product met all relevant Australian Voluntary and Mandatory Standards.”

Love ‘n’ Care (Love N Care Playland Travel Cot)
“We have discontinued the item and we aren’t selling it anymore, until we bring in a modified version,” says Terry Elcheikh, Love ‘n’ Care director. “We have come up with a modified version of the mattress and we are working with CHOICE to improve the product.”

Love ‘n’ Care tests the portacot overseas where the cot is manufactured, but says it will look into additional testing in Australian labs.

Baby Bunting (4baby Liteway travel cot)
“We have test results from an accredited testing laboratory for the 4Baby Liteway travel cot. The report shows that the product complies with the Australian mandatory standard,” says Scott Teal, general manager merchandise and marketing, Baby Bunting.

Teal says Baby Bunting believes the portacot complies with the mandatory Australian standard and is safe. However, the company is commissioning updated independent test reports in light of our findings.

Australia’s Power Brands (Joie Excursion Change & Rock Travel Cot)
Australia’s Power Brands took exception to our way of testing the portacot mattress firmness. (We use the test method outlined in the voluntary standard to determine whether a mattress is firm enough to be safe.)

“As there is no specified test for ‘firmness’ in the mandatory standard, what is firm becomes subjective. The cot complies with the mandatory standard,” says Joie marketing manager Graeme Duncan.

The Joie cot failed a test relating to the gaps in the corners between bassinet and cot in our testing. The company says the cot passed when tested at an accredited lab in 2015 and that there have been no design changes since then. However, because doubt has been raised about this particular compliance issue, the company plans to re-test the cot.

Babyhood (Babyhood Bambino Dormire 2 in 1 Porta Cot)
Babyhood declined to provide a comment for this article.

Kmart (Baby Solutions Travel Porta-cot)
“The Kmart Baby Solutions Travel Porta-Cot has been tested regularly by internationally recognised and accredited laboratories and has passed the full requirements of the mandatory Australian Standard AS/NZS 2195:1999 which is for folding cots,” says Mandy Confoy, public relations manager, Kmart Corporate Affairs.
Kmart says it offers refunds on faulty products but didn’t say whether it would offer refunds for the Baby Solutions product.

CNP Brands (Childcare Trio 3 In 1 Travel Cot)
“CNP Brands has considered the review published by CHOICE regarding the Childcare Trio 3-in-1 Travel Cot in which the findings and expressed sentiment are in stark contrast to the diligent third-party testing that classified the product above and beyond the mandatory Australian Standard,” CNP Brands say in a media statement.

“CNP Brands remains absolutely confident in the safety of the product as reflected by extensive independent testing.
“While CNP Brands disagrees with CHOICE’S interpretations of testing guidelines in their final report, we will consider any opportunities for improvement to ensure we continue delivering first-class products.”

Kids II Australia (Ingenuity Smart & Simple Travel Cot)
“The Ingenuity Smart & Simple Travel Cot has been tested by an accredited testing laboratory and complies with the mandatory standards in Australia. The Ingenuity Smart & Simple Travel Cot is not being recalled, nor would a recall of this product be warranted,” says Andrew Farhat, vice president of product integrity, Kids II Australia.

Phil & Teds (Phil & Teds Traveller 4)

Our testing found that the Phil & Teds portacot doesn’t comply with the standard because it lacks a firm, flat and rigid base. Phil & Teds disagreed with our findings.
“The Traveller 4 is intended to be used on a firm and flat surface and it is this surface that gives the base the rigidity and firm and flat support. We therefore have a differing interpretation than CHOICE,” says Pierre Pradervand, a product compliance specialist with Phil & Teds.
Phil & Teds says the portacot mattress complies with the sleep surface test for firmness (AS/NZS8811.1-2013) and that the Traveller 4 has obtained a third-party verification of compliance to CPN4 plus certification to ASTM USA, SOR Canada and EN Europe.

Britax Childcare (Steelcraft Snooze-n-Play Portable Cot)

Our testing found that the Steelcraft portacot poses a finger injury hazard to the person setting up the cot, but Britax’s Nursery Product Director Janelle Parkinson says this is only an issue if the instructions aren’t followed.

When used without the bassinet, the Steelcraft portacot poses no risk to the child, our testing found. However, the bassinet is supplied with the portacot and represents a limb entrapment risk.

“The gap between the top of the bassinet and the top of the cot at the ends should not be considered as the standard refers to the cot and base. We also note that the bassinet should not be used once the baby can sit, which is advised on the bassinet labelling,” Parkinson says.

Target (Target Holiday Portacot)
“The Target Holiday Portacot has been tested by an independent accredited third party laboratory and has passed the full requirements of the Australian Standard AS/NZS 2195:1999 which outlines regulatory requirements for portable folding cots,” a Target spokesperson says.
Target says it offers refunds on faulty products, but didn’t say whether it would offer refunds for the Holiday portacot.

Valiant Brands (Vee Bee Amado Travel & Play Cot)
“The Amado Portacot has been independently tested and certified to satisfy all the relevant standards by internationally recognised testing labs Intertek. As such we deem it inappropriate to offer unnecessary refunds,” a Valiant Brands representative says.

Kidsafe shared these tips for safe portacot use:

  • Portacots aren’t recommended for long-term use.
  • Remove the bassinet or change mat before placing the baby on the bottom mattress.
  • Every time you use the portacot, check the folding mechanism is secure so that it doesn’t unexpectedly collapse.
  • Only use the mattress or padded base supplied by the manufacturer – don’t use other mattresses as they can pose a suffocation risk.
  • The mattress should be firm and snug-fitting all around to avoid trapping the baby’s head.
  • Make sure there’s nothing sticking out that could snag the baby’s clothes or provide a foothold for the baby to climb out.
  • Don’t position the cot beside blind cords, power points, windows or other hazards.
  • Never put pillows, cot bumpers or soft toys in the portacot – not only to prevent suffocation but also because these items can be used to climb out.
  • Once the baby weighs more than 15kg or can undo the folding latches, stop using the portacot.

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  • WEll this is just shocking.

    Reply

  • That is a disgrace. Faults in the beds our babies sleep in……unforgivable

    Reply

  • Some of the portacots are actually deeper than most permanent cots. Some adventurous toddlers will still try to climb out of them though.

    Reply

  • Not good indeed so many portacots fail the safety guidelines.
    We bought the Phil & Teds portacot and brought it on our holiday to Africa and Europe. I packed it in our suitcase and it was great it is so light.

    Reply

  • It’s scary to think that so many portacots have failed the safety standard guidelines.


    • It surprised and shocked me. We need to to get safety standards right for our most precious little ones.

    Reply

  • I am shocked by the high number that have failed!

    Reply

  • My gosh now that is crazy, ten out of twelve. Pretty bad.

    Reply

  • Wow, that is really concerning. How does this happen? How do they pass quality control?

    Reply

  • Gosh we have the Dymples, I’m glad we haven’t had any issues.

    Reply

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