Urgent warning for parents as TKMaxx recalls popular baby product due to choking fears
TKMAXX has pulled a baby product from its shelves over fears it could pose a chasing hazard.
The off-price retailer noticed an issue with a singing mermaid device, and since issued a return notice.
The Dreamgro Lullaby Travel Soother presents a choking risk as it features a gold star decoration that could detach easily.
If a baby puts the shimmery star decoration in their mouth, they could choke.
TKMaxx and The Office for Product Safety and Standards, part of the Department for Business and Trade, has issued the urgent recall.
This happens when a product doesn’t meet the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.
The office deem the risk that comes with the Dreamgro Lullaby Travel Soother as “high”.
The toy, manufactured in China is described as a “mermaid baby travel soother that plays music sold in pink and light blue colours”.
It was sold in TKMaxx stores and online between April 2024 and May 2024.
The retailer stresses that the only affected products from Dreamgro is the mermaid, which comes in both blue and pink options.
TKMaxx said: “If you purchased one of the affected products, please stop using it immediately.
“We are recalling the above products due to a safety risk.
“The products feature a gold star decoration which may detach easily and present a choking hazard.”
They urged customers to “return the item to any TKMaxx or Homesense store for a full refund”.
To check if you have the problem doll, one of the following product codes will be printed on your receipt – 916223 or 916228.
Product recalls are common practice among retailers with items pulled from shelves for a host of different reasons.
In most cases, products are pulled because there is a safety risk to customers.
It comes after iCandy announced a voluntary recall of the Orange 4 pushchair due to a potential safety issue, effective immediately.
The brand has halted all sales of this specific pram following the discovery of a potential manufacturing defect that could pose a risk to babies.
Parents with the Orange 4 prams were urged to stop using it immediately.
What are my rights to a refund?
If you return a recalled product, your rights to a refund depend on whether the fault makes it unsafe.
Sometimes, companies will repair the product, for example, by fitting a new part instead of offering a refund.
However, if a fault makes a product unsafe to use or is too difficult to fix, you still have the right to claim a refund.
You can read more about your rights concerning a recalled product in our guide.
What is a product recall?
PRODUCT recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods.
Many safety notices for products are issued as a precautionary measure, letting consumers know an item may be dangerous.
In more serious cases, manufacturers or retailers issue a recall, warning customers not to use the product and asking them to return it.
As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action.
But it’s often left up to retailers to notify customers when products could put them at risk.
A company will sometimes issue a recall to limit the number of complaints.