Product safety reportOPSS
10g Water Ball Beads sold on eBay safety warning over a suffocation risk
Product Safety Report for 10g Water Ball Beads presenting a serious risk of asphyxiation.
Take it out of the cot or pram now, and put your baby to sleep on their back on a firm, flat surface.
Product image from the OPSS safety notice
Check your product
Only products that match these details are covered. Have your pack in front of you.
1 identifier listed for this notice.
10g Water Ball Beads sold on eBay
- Item or listing codeOn the box, the label, or the order page where you bought it.
- 221801205449
What to do now
10g Water Ball Beads sold on eBay could block a child’s nose and mouth or restrict breathing.
- Take it out of the cot or pram now, and put your baby to sleep on their back on a firm, flat surface.
- Keep it away from babies and young children.
- The marketplace has removed the listing. Contact the seller through your order history to ask for a refund.
- Report it to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer service if the seller does not respond.
Why it matters. Babies cannot move away from something covering their face. Pillows, padded sleeping bags and soft items in the cot are linked to sleep deaths, and that is why many of these products fail UK safety rules.
If someone has been hurt
Look out for
- a baby who seems to struggle to breathe
Get help urgently
- a baby or child who is not breathing or has turned blue — call 999 immediately
This is general information based on NHS public guidance, not medical advice. In an emergency call 999. For urgent advice use NHS 111 (NHS 24 on 111 in Scotland) or, in Northern Ireland, your GP or out-of-hours service.
Getting your money back
Sellers on online marketplaces do not always run recalls themselves, so you may need to ask for your money back. The platform’s help pages explain its buyer protection scheme.
Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133), Advice Direct Scotland (0808 164 6000) and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) give free advice if you get stuck.
From the official notice
Published by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (2510-0041). Quoted as issued.
Summary
Product Safety Report for 10g Water Ball Beads presenting a serious risk of asphyxiation.
The risk
The product presents a serious risk of asphyxiation because if the product is swallowed in its hydrated form, it can block a young child’s airway. Improvements are also required to product labelling and marking.
OPSS has published a Product Safety Alert for water beads, which can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-safety-alert-water-beads-psa7 .
The product does not meet the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.
Action taken
The product is no longer available for sale.
Advice to consumers
The product is no longer available for sale.
Owners are advised to stop using the product immediately and keep it out of the reach of children. Contact the distributor you purchased from to request redress.
Additional information
PSD notification number: 2510-0041
Notified by: Office of Product Safety and Standards
Product description
Multi-coloured water beads sold in a clear plastic bag.
Open the OPSS notice
Questions
Why has 10g Water Ball Beads sold on eBay been reported?
10g Water Ball Beads sold on eBay could block a child’s nose and mouth or restrict breathing. Babies cannot move away from something covering their face. Pillows, padded sleeping bags and soft items in the cot are linked to sleep deaths, and that is why many of these products fail UK safety rules.
How do I know if my product is affected?
Compare the item or listing code on your product with the details listed under “Check your product” on this page. Only items that match are covered by the notice.
What should I do now?
Take it out of the cot or pram now, and put your baby to sleep on their back on a firm, flat surface. Keep it away from babies and young children.
Can I get a refund or a repair?
Sellers on online marketplaces do not always run recalls themselves, so you may need to ask for your money back. The platform’s help pages explain its buyer protection scheme. Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133), Advice Direct Scotland (0808 164 6000) and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) give free advice if you get stuck.
Where was 10g Water Ball Beads sold on eBay sold?
The notice names eBay. Products bought elsewhere are covered too if they match the details listed.
