We tend to think ‘If I can buy it for my child, it must be safe’. But sadly, that isn’t true anymore, as how and where we shop has changed.
To help you spot which products to avoid this summer, we’ve highlighted some of the big risks to your child’s safety below. Plus scroll down for some top tips on how to shop safely.
1. Fake copies of popular toys
Last year it was Labubus, this year it’s squishies and soon it’ll be something else. But, when a toy goes viral, the increase in demand means you can find fakes for sale everywhere. And some could be really dangerous for your child.
They may have cheap parts that break easily, easy-access button batteries, high-strength magnets or harmful levels of chemicals. Worryingly, the danger isn’t always obvious, so it’s best to buy from trusted retailers if you can.
Visit our toy safety hub to learn more about buying safe toys.
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2. Baby pool floats with canopies or sunshades
A pool float with an overhead sunshade sounds like a great idea. But a canopy can actually put your baby at risk instead of protecting them.
That’s because the wind can catch the canopy, lifting the float out of the water, capsizing it and trapping your baby under water.
Plus, your baby can drift away out of your reach, when you need to keep them in arm’s reach in water to keep them safe.
Because the design is inherently unsafe, they are being recalled. Please don’t buy one if you see one on sale.
3. Magnetic water balloons
Water fights are a brilliant fun. But some reusable water balloons contain tiny high-strength magnets which can pop out easily.
High-strength magnets like these can rip through a child’s gut if swallowed, causing very serious and even life-threatening injuries.
If you have a product like this with accessible magnets, please stop using it straight away, check for any stray magnets and keep out of reach of small children.
Visit our magnet safety hub to learn more about the risks and what you can do to keep children safe.
4. Blue swimming costumes
The colour of your child’s swimwear can impact their safety.
Choosing brighter colours, especially neon shades, can make your child easier to see when they go underwater.
Neon yellow, lime green, and orange are bright enough to spot, while blues, greys, and white can become nearly invisible.
That doesn’t mean you can relax completely though. Drowning happens quickly and quietly. So, keep non-swimmers in arm’s reach and actively supervise older children in and around water.
5. Neck floats
Neck floats are inflatables that sit around a baby’s neck. They allow babies to float freely in the water, which sounds like fun.
But if the float gets caught on something, this could put pressure on the baby’s airways, injuring their neck or even suffocating them.
There’s also a risk that, if the float flips over, the baby’s face could be submerged under the water.
We advise you keep your baby in arms’ reach in the water all the time, so you can act fast to keep them safe.
6. Mermaid tails and monofins
Lots of these products have been removed from sale due to the high risk of drowning.
Children need to be able to kick their feet to get back up to the surface. So, anything that restricts their movement should be avoided.
Many of these products are aimed at small children but don’t carry any warnings about the risks. So, you might unknowingly be putting your child in danger.
7. Swim vests, buoyancy aids and life jackets from unknown sellers
It’s scary to think that something you’d buy to keep your child safe could do the very opposite. But many swim vests and buoyancy aids sold on online marketplaces come from abroad and haven’t been safety tested to our standards. This makes them a serious drowning risk.
We’ve seen lots of swim vests from online marketplaces recalled from sale as they’re not as buoyant as they should be.
Please opt for well-known brand names and retailers if you can. Always be cautious when shopping online and remember to check who is selling the item and where they are based.
Discover more ways to avoid dodgy dealers selling unsafe products on online platforms
8. Toys with easy-access button batteries
Whether you buy them online as a cheap way to keep the children entertained, or find them at a funfair or family event, light-up toys are great fun.
But many of these flashing toys contain easy-access button batteries which can kill if swallowed.
So, if you buy any button battery powered items, remember to check the battery compartment is secured with a screw or similar fastener to prevent children gaining access. If it isn’t secure, please keep it out of reach of young children.
9. Water beads
With their bright colours and squishy feel, water beads are especially appealing to young children. But they can be really dangerous if swallowed.
As they bathe in stomach fluids, they can expand to many times their original size, posing a serious risk of blockage in a child’s bowel.
So, please keep water beads away from babies and young children.
If older children are using water beads, use a large tub with plenty of free space so stray beads can’t escape onto the floor. And make sure you clear away all the beads afterwards, to stop little ones from getting their hands on them.
10. Toys containing asbestos
Since the start of the year, many toys and craft items have been recalled as they may contain trace levels of asbestos. Recalls so far have included Stretchers toys, craft boxes and sand art kits. And there may be more to come.
Learn more about products containing asbestos or check the list of recalled items here
Top tips for shopping safely this summer
- If you can, opt for well-known brand names and retailers.
- Take care when buying from online marketplaces. They don’t have to check if the products they sell are safe.
- Check who is selling the product. If it’s a company you’ve never heard of, with no UK or EU address and the price is low, it may be illegal and unsafe.
- Remember that corner shops and cash and carries buy from online marketplaces too. So take care when buying from them too.
- Check if the product is dangerous and has been removed from sale. Visit gov.uk for a list of recalled products.
- If you buy something that looks unsafe, trust your instincts and send it back.
