Product safety reportOPSS
Girls Creator Magical Water Beads Soothing Spa safety warning over a suffocation risk
Product Safety Report for Girls Creator Magical Water Beads Soothing Spa presenting a serious health risk.
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
What to do now
Girls Creator Magical Water Beads Soothing Spa 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 (2502-0063). Quoted as issued.
Summary
Product Safety Report for Girls Creator Magical Water Beads Soothing Spa presenting a serious health risk.
The risk
The product presents a serious health risk as it includes water beads that expand to more than 50% of their original size within 12 hours of soaking them in water. If the small, dehydrated beads are swallowed by a young child, the bead may expand inside the digestive tract causing a blockage. The product also presents a risk of asphyxiation as if a bead is swallowed in its hydrated form, it may block a young child’s airway.
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 is also considered to be a cosmetic intended for children, but did not have the required labelling for cosmetic products.
The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 or Regulation (EC) 1223/2009.
Action taken
The import has been rejected at the border
Advice to consumers
The import has been rejected at the border.
Additional information
PSD notification number: 2502-0063
Notified by: Local Authority Trading Standards
Product description
A battery-operated pink foot spa toy with accessories of nail varnish, slippers, files and stickers. Multicolour cardboard packaging.
Open the OPSS notice
Questions
Why has Girls Creator Magical Water Beads Soothing Spa been reported?
Girls Creator Magical Water Beads Soothing Spa 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?
The notice describes the affected product rather than listing codes. Compare the product name, pack size and where you bought it with the official 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.
