More than 4.5 million unsafe products were recalled by suppliers in the 2017-2018 financial year affecting nearly half of all Australian homes, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). 

Recent figures in ACCC’s new report showed that at least 10 people were injured as a result of unsafe products. 

“Ten injuries a day due to defective products is alarming, but we suspect this is just the tip of the iceberg as many more consumers don’t report injuries to the product suppliers at all,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said. 

“The number of Australians being injured by unsafe products is far too high, and we encourage people to sign up to recalls information or follow us on social media so they can be alerted to any potential risks in their homes,” Ms Rickard added. 

Recalled products in the past has ranged from cars and caravans, to children’s toys and prams. 

Some of the key recalls for 2017/2018 included the Takata airbag recall with deadly airbags being fitted into one in four vehicles, infinity cable recall with faulty electrical cables, Samsung washing machine recall with faulty wiring resulting in house fires, and Safetech hardware pool gate latch recalls with locks latching in open positions, resulting in drowning.  

The highest ACCC-represented categories included outdoor and camping products, kitchenware, furniture, and items for babies and kids. 

“Parents and people with young children are encouraged to be aware of recalls that may affect products they have in their home. But the high numbers of injuries across Australia indicate many people will be injured or know someone who has been injured by an unsafe product at some point during their lives,” Ms Rickard said.