The term “bean bags”, as used in the safety standard, include items with an opening where the filling is accessed or can escape, and cover a large of products, including:
- Wet and Dry Bean Bags
- Pillows
- Futon Mattresses
- Novelty Cushions
- Pet Beds
- Stable Tables
Bean bags are cushions or similar items consisting of a bag or cover enclosing a filling of small pellets such as polystyrene beads or other similar synthetic material. The bag has an opening so the beads can be accessed. Children can be at risk of choking or suffocation if using an unsafe or damaged bean bag. Soft and padded surfaces can also prevent babies and toddlers who roll over from being able to turn or lift their face to breathe freely. These risks have been identified in the Consumer Goods (Bean Bags) Safety Standard 2014, which includes a number of conditions that these goods must meet in order to be legally sold in Australia. Mandatory preventative solutions include specific labelling and reduced accessibility requirements.