Product safety reportOPSS
Kids Girls Swimmable Mermaid Tail Sea-maid Bikini Sets Swimwear Swimming safety warning over a drowning risk
Product Safety Report for Kids Girls Swimmable Mermaid Tail Sea-maid Bikini Sets Swimwear Swimming Costume presenting a high risk of drowning as it is intended for a young child.
Stop using it in or near water.
What to do now
Kids Girls Swimmable Mermaid Tail Sea-maid Bikini Sets Swimwear could fail in water.
- Stop using it in or near water.
- Always stay within arm’s reach of a child in water.
- The marketplace has removed the listing. Contact the seller through your order history to ask for a refund.
- If you cannot reach the seller, Trading Standards can be told through Citizens Advice.
Why it matters. Drowning is fast and silent. Bath seats, inflatables and swim aids can give a false sense of security.
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 (2201-0246). Quoted as issued.
Summary
Product Safety Report for Kids Girls Swimmable Mermaid Tail Sea-maid Bikini Sets Swimwear Swimming Costume presenting a high risk of drowning as it is intended for a young child.
The risk
The product poses a high risk of drowning because it is intended for a young child, and the hazard warnings and risks are not available at the point of sale or on the product, informing the purchaser and user of the risks. As the parent or carer does not have the relevant information available to identify that the product will have an adverse effect on the young child’s ability to swim, they may assume the user will be able to swim as per their usual ability, which is not the case with these products.
This product therefore poses a drowning risk and does not meet the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.
Action taken
The listing has been removed by the online marketplace (eBay) and withdrawn from the market, with warnings issued to consumers.
Advice to consumers
The listing has been removed by the online marketplace (eBay).
Warning: Mermaid tails or monofins can significantly reduce the person’s ability to swim and can only be used by competent swimmers under strict adult supervision at all times, regardless of swimming ability.
Additional information
PSD case number: 2201-0246
Notified by: Office for Product Safety and Standards
Product description
A child’s three-piece mermaid swimming costume consisting of a pink bikini set a one-piece mermaid tail that incorporates a monofin. The tail is coloured pink, blue and purple, with a fish-scale pattern. The tail is designed to fit from hip to toe
Open the OPSS notice
Questions
Why has Kids Girls Swimmable Mermaid Tail Sea-maid Bikini Sets Swimwear been reported?
Kids Girls Swimmable Mermaid Tail Sea-maid Bikini Sets Swimwear could fail in water. Drowning is fast and silent. Bath seats, inflatables and swim aids can give a false sense of security.
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?
Stop using it in or near water. Always stay within arm’s reach of a child in water.
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 Kids Girls Swimmable Mermaid Tail Sea-maid Bikini Sets Swimwear sold?
The notice names eBay. Products bought elsewhere are covered too if they match the details listed.
