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Warning after more than two-thirds of Australian portable cots fail safety tests

By Naomi White|

An alarming number of travel cots have failed key safety requirements, according to CHOICE.

In their latest 2022 tests, the consumer watchdog found six out of 11 popular portable cots currently on the market did not meet either their mandatory or voluntary standards, putting infants' lives at risk.

Conducted as part of their annual testing, CHOICE found the cots, including brands found at Target, Kmart and Baby Bunting, each had at least one "serious safety failure".

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CHOICE found more than half of travel cots fail safety testing.
The Baby Bunting 4Baby Clouds 2 in 1 Portacot did not pass their testing. (Supplied)

"The failure rate that we've seen in our latest round of portable cot testing is really concerning," says CHOICE testing expert, Kim Gilmour. "We know that parents expect better from brands that are sold by popular retailers like Target and Baby Bunting."

"The most common safety issue we saw in our testing was a mattress that isn't firm enough, which is a factor linked to sudden unexpected death in infancy.

Other issues included 'problematic' designs with puffy covers. ?

These cots, which CHOICE has urged consumers to "stop using immediately", include:

  • Baby Bunting 4Baby Clouds 2 in 1 Portacot
  • Baby Bunting 4Baby Vacation Portacot
  • Kmart Anko 3 in 1 Portacot
  • Phil & Teds Traveller 2021
  • Star Kidz Vivo Super Light Travel Cot
  • Target Adventure V2 3 in 1 Portacot

?CHOICE also tested the cots' stability and sturdiness, whether they had breathable zones on each side, and for any entrapment hazards.

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CHOICE found more than half of travel cots fail safety testing.
The Target Adventure V2 3 in 1 Portacot was also on the list. (Supplied)

Ms Gilmour described current mandatory standards, which are more than 20-years-old, as outdated.

"Newer voluntary standards incorporate important safety factors like breathable zones, but they still haven't made it into law," she said. "While it's pleasing to see more manufacturers meeting them, it's still not mandatory to do so."

Worryingly these 'voluntary' standards include that a child 'must be able to breathe through the textile materials and other materials used in the breathable zone around the mattress'.

In total, 18 out of 26 currently available portable cots reviewed by experts failed to meet key safety standards.

"Our latest batch of reviews shows that almost 70 per cent of these products fail key safety requirements, which is a really disappointing result," said Ms Gilbour. "Unfortunately, this is something we are used to seeing with this particular baby product."

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CHOICE found more than half of travel cots fail safety testing.
Phil & Teds Traveller 2021 also failed testing. (Supplied)

Gilmour also added waiting until "tragedy strikes" before governments amended standards was putting consumers at risk and a "deeply inappropriate" approach for products such as cots. ?

Baby Bunting, Kmart and StarKidz all refuted CHOICE's findings.

"We are disappointed to see CHOICE indicate a fail to mattress firmness, particularly with Kmart testing to the same standard and by an accredited laboratory showing compliance," Kmart told CHOICE.

They added that they were "confident" their mattress complies with safety standards.

A full list of portable cots that failed testing can be found here. ?

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