The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)* is urging parents to keep Apple AirTags away from children as safety precaution.
The ACCC is urging parents to ensure Apple AirTags are kept out of the reach of young children, as the ACCC has raised safety concerns with Apple about the accessibility and security of the button battery inside the product.
Apple AirTags are small Bluetooth tracking devices that can be attached to, and then used to locate, items such as keys or wallets.
They are powered by lithium coin cell ‘button’ batteries.
The ACCC is concerned that the AirTag’s battery compartment could be accessible to young children, and the button battery removed with ease.
In addition, the AirTag battery compartment’s lid does not always secure fully on closing, and a distinctive sound plays when an AirTag’s lid is being closed, suggesting the lid is secure when it may not be.
“We were also concerned that the outer product packaging does not have any warning about the presence and dangers of button batteries, and we note that Apple has now added a warning label to the AirTag’s packaging.
“However, this alone does not address our fundamental concerns about children being able to access the button batteries in these devices,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.
The ACCC has raised these safety concerns about the AirTag with Apple, and discussions continue.
The ACCC notes that in its public statements, Apple has stated the AirTag is “designed to meet international child safety standards, … by requiring a two-step push-and-turn mechanism to access the user-replaceable battery”, and that it is “working to ensure that [its] products will meet or exceed new standards, including those for package labelling, well ahead of the timeline required”.
“We are continuing to investigate to determine what actions may be required to address our safety concerns,” Ms Rickard said.
“We are also liaising with our international counterparts on the safety of Apple AirTags, and at least one overseas public safety regulator is also examining the safety of this product at this stage.”
“As a safety precaution, we urge parents to keep AirTags away from their children.
“We know that small children can be fascinated by keys and love playing with them, so there is a risk that they could access this product, which is designed to be attached to a key ring, among other things,” Ms Rickard said.
“We are aware several large retailers, including Officeworks, are currently not offering the AirTag for sale because of concerns about button battery safety.”
The ACCC is also assessing whether there are issues with button battery safety in similar Bluetooth tracking devices.
Three children have died and 44 have been severely injured in Australia from incidents involving button batteries in other products, and more than one child a month is seriously injured as a result of ingesting or inserting the batteries which are contained in millions of consumer goods worldwide.
The mandatory safety and information standards were introduced in December 2020, and apply to all button batteries and consumer goods containing button batteries in Australia.
The mandatory standards come into force on 22 June 2022.
From this date, fines and penalties may apply for retailers or manufacturers that supply button batteries, or products containing them, that do not comply with the mandatory standards.
“Currently in Australia, suppliers are guided by an industry code which is voluntary.
“We urge all manufacturers and suppliers to be ready to comply with the new mandatory standards as soon as possible,” Ms Rickard said.
Button batteries are dangerous for children, especially for children five years of age and under.
If swallowed, a button battery can get stuck in a child’s throat and cause a chemical reaction that burns through tissue, causing death or serious injury within a short amount of time.
Insertion of a button battery into body orifices such as ears and noses can also lead to significant injuries.
The ACCC is engaging with a number of suppliers of a range of different products in relation to concerns about the accessibility of button batteries in those products.
*The ACCC promotes competition and fair trade in markets to benefit consumers, businesses, and the community.
This article first appeared at accc.gov.au.
