Product safety reportOPSS
Zipped Shark Plush Toy, AS-121 safety warning over a suffocation risk
Product Safety Report for Zipped Shark Plush Toy, AS-121 presenting a high 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.
Zipped Shark Plush Toy, AS-121
- ModelOn the rating label, base, back or box.
- AS-121
What to do now
Zipped Shark Plush Toy, AS-121 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 (2311-0081). Quoted as issued.
Summary
Product Safety Report for Zipped Shark Plush Toy, AS-121 presenting a high risk of asphyxiation.
The risk
The product has been identified as presenting a high risk of asphyxiation as the fibrous internal stuffing is easily accessible via the zip on the back of the toy. If a young child were to access the filling and place it in their mouth, they may asphyxiate. Some of the required documentation was not present.
The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
Action taken
Import rejected at the border. Destruction of the product.
Advice to consumers
The import has been rejected at the border and destroyed.
Additional information
PSD case number: 2311-0081
Notified by: Local Authority Trading Standards
Product description
A pink and white plush shark toy.
Open the OPSS notice
Questions
Why has Zipped Shark Plush Toy, AS-121 been reported?
Zipped Shark Plush Toy, AS-121 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 model 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.
