The Consumer Council has issued an alert on the potential hazard in the use of automatic folding umbrellas.
The alert followed recent reports of bodily injuries due to the use of the latest type of automatic/spring-loaded umbrellas which can be opened and shut by simply pressing a button.
The National Consumer Affairs Centre of Japan has recorded a number of injuries involving in some cases primary school pupils.
In the majority of cases, the incidents occurred in the closing process: the handle of the umbrella rebounded abruptly hitting hard on the forehead, eyes, nose or teeth of the user.
In Hong Kong, similar complaint cases were brought to the attention of the Council. Amongst them, a complainant had her chin and her friend's fingers hit by a rebounded handle. Complaints were received also about the fragile and non-durable structure of some of these automatic umbrellas.
The Council considers appropriate bilingual (Chinese and English) warning statement on the product label to be essential, for example, to prevent use by children, and to remind users to observe surrounding environment before opening the umbrellas.
The Council, however, has found that user instruction or warning statement is lacking on many of these products. Manufacturers and suppliers are urged to review their product label to reduce the risk of injuries to consumers.
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