A Consumer Council test on electric feeding bottle sterilizers has led to the recent voluntary product recall of three models found to pose potentially serious safety hazards to users.
The Council has, at the first instance of findings of the test, forwarded the results to the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) for regulatory enforcement on electrical products safety.
Two of the suppliers concerned have since undertaken to rectify the safety deficiencies, and a voluntary product recall with free product replacement (where applicable) has been initiated for the 3 models in question:
(i) Donbaby model number SM-613 - sold between 2009 and October 2014.
(ii) KUKU Duckbill model number KU-9005 - sold between 2010 and October 2014.
(iii) minimoto model number YA0210 (HL-0633) - sold between April 2013 and October 2014. (This model is no longer on sale, and consumers will be offered coupons to redeem goods of equivalent value.)
Affected consumers are urged to cease using the products concerned and to contact the agents of the suppliers for collection via their customer service hotline during office hours - at Donbaby: 2690 2790, KUKU Duckbill : 2419 6872, minimoto : 2677 1711.
The safety hazards were uncovered among 4 models in the Council's test on 15 models of electric feeding bottle sterilizers with reference to the International Standard IEC60335-2-15 and IEC60335-1.
One of the 3 models involved in the product recall had the main on/off switch dislocated after the impact test (3 times) and the live part of wiring exposed, increasing the risk of electric shock.
The other 2 models failed the abnormal test with excessive overheating in some parts, posing risk of potential fire. The test was conducted under abnormal operating conditions (the terminal of heating element is connected to the sheath).
In the test on temperature rise, the temperature rise of the lock or handle of the lid of 2 sterilizers was measured to exceed the standard limit.
Consumers are advised to refrain, during sterilization, from touching the hot surface of the sterilizer, or letting the hands or face too close to the steam vent on the lid to avoid steam burn.
Other relatively minor electrical safety deficiencies included: wiring and earth connection, construction and electrical insulation. Consumers are reminded to stop using a sterilizer once it does not function properly.
The 15 sterilizers were rated overall for their safety (60%) and convenience of use (40%). 9 of the samples were rated highly with the top score of 5 points on a scale of 1 to 5.
In fact, 6 of them fully complied with all the requirements of the safety standard while 5 others were generally in compliance with most of the safety requirements with only minor problems in the marking and user instructions.
Babies' bodies are particularly vulnerable to bacteria that can grow on milk left in a bottle, so sterilizing is something parents need to do until your baby is around a year old. Some useful tips in the use of bottle sterilizers:
- Use the sterilizer on a stable, firm and level surface
- Keep the sterilizer out of reach of toddlers and young children
- Fill up the water reservoir before plugging in the socket
- Clean the feeding bottles and other equipment before sterilizing
In the use of feeding bottles and teats, parents are advised to pay heed to signs of crack or discoloration, and replace them at regular intervals of 3 to 6 months depending on usage and the material used. Besides glass bottles, consumers now have a choice of bottles made of plastics - PP, PES, PPSU - and a newly introduced material silicone.
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