The results of the latest CHOICE testing have revealed that 17 out of 20* portacots tested do not pass key safety requirements. 
The latest portacots that failed our key safety tests are:
– Childcare Matisse 4 in 1 Travel Cot
– Joie Commuter Change Travel Cot
– Chicco Lullaby Easy Portacot
“It’s unacceptable that we continue to see important children’s items like portacots failing key safety requirements and testing,” says CHOICE expert, Kim Gilmour.
“When parents are purchasing a portacot for their child, they shouldn’t have to be worried about whether it’s safe or not. In our latest testing, we found that 85% of portacots fail key safety requirements, which is a really disappointing result,” says Gilmour.
“CHOICE found a number of safety hazards associated with the cots. Often the mattresses were not firm enough, which creates a possible suffocation risk if your child were to roll onto its side or front.”
Other issues included:
– The mattress not neatly fitting the base, creating gaps that could potentially trap the head and cause suffocation.
– Cots not having breathable mesh zones on all sides, which could create a suffocation risk if a child rolls face first against them.
– Folding designs that could trap a child’s neck if the cot collapses.
“If you are looking to purchase a portacot, make sure the mattress is firm and snug-fitting all around, so that the baby’s head doesn’t get trapped,” says Gilmour.
“Before you buy a portacot, you can check out the CHOICE website to see which models we recommend. The Product Safety website also has information on if there have been any product recalls or safety issues with particular brands or models.”
CHOICE is calling on the government to strengthen product safety laws, so unsafe products like these don’t make it to our shelves. You can read more about our campaign for stronger product safety laws here:
https://choice.com.au/
The full list of portacots that have failed CHOICE key safety tests in the past five years:
Joie Excursion Change & Rock Travel Cot ($399)
Love N Care Playland Travel Cot HK 999 ($130)
4baby Liteway Travel Cot EA11816 ($169)
Ingenuity Smart & Simple Travel Cot 10116 ($249)
Phil & Teds Traveller 4 ($199)
Vee Bee Amado Travel & Play Cot N9560 ($149)
Vee Bee The Sierra N9338 ($215)
Elite Baby All in 1 Deluxe ($95)
Kmart Anko Travel Porta-cot 42001409 ($49)
Childcare Trio 3 In 1 Travel Cot 074260-357 ($180)
Babyco Edinburgh Statesman 4006375-377 ($150)
Babyhood Bambino Dormire 2 in 1 Porta Cot ($299)
Steelcraft Sonnet 32439 ($109)
Target Holiday Portacot BRT023A ($49)
Childcare Matisse 4 in 1 Travel Cot ($180)
Joie Commuter Change Travel Cot ($199)
Chicco Lullaby Easy Portacot ($500)
.jpg){kind=tracking}