There in a new enemy in our midst, Hong Kong. Not Beijing spies, not foreign forces, not even parallel traders – unsafe swivel chairs are out to get us!
Hong Kong’s Customs and Excise Department has warned the public of.. and we quote… “the potential hazards posed by a swivel armchair and advised them to stop using it for their own safety”.
The armchair in question, which has weirdly not been named by brand or retailer, was found to “pose a risk of falling for users” when samples were collected and put through laboratory testing earlier this year.
The chairs did not meet the required standards for safety and were found to overturn to the sides and back when overbalancing tests were carried out.
More than 1,000 of the chairs were seized from the retailer…. but watch out – you may be sitting in one RIGHT NOW!!
Under the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance it is an offence to supply or manufacture shoddy goods, with the maximum penalty being a fine of HKD100,000 and one year in prison on first conviction.
If you’ve fallen off your chair recently or think you might do, call the customs 24-hour hotline (because unsafe chairs are a danger at all hours) on (+852) 2545 6182.
