Hobbycraft Launches Urgent Safety Recall for Children's Craft Product
Arts and crafts retailer Hobbycraft has issued an immediate product recall for its Giant Box of Crafts following the discovery of asbestos contamination in certain samples. The company announced this critical safety measure on its official website, urging customers who have purchased the item to cease using it immediately and return it to stores for a full refund.
Safety Hazard Identified in Craft Box Components
Independent laboratory testing revealed that vials of sand included within the craft set contained trace amounts of asbestos, a substance banned in the UK due to significant health risks. Asbestos exposure, even at minimal levels, can lead to serious respiratory conditions that typically manifest years after inhalation of microscopic fibres.
Hobbycraft's official statement emphasised their commitment to consumer protection: "This action is being taken in the interests of customer safety and in line with our obligations under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005." The company confirmed that contamination has been detected in a limited number of samples, prompting precautionary measures across all units.
Identifying the Affected Product
Consumers should check their craft boxes for the specific product number 6686021000, located beneath the barcode on the packaging. Only items bearing this identification number are subject to the recall. Hobbycraft has stressed that customers possessing matching products should follow safety protocols without delay.
Immediate Safety Instructions for Consumers
The retailer has provided detailed guidance for handling potentially contaminated products:
- Stop using the craft box immediately and keep it away from children
- Place all sand components in heavy-duty plastic bags, sealing them with double layers of tape
- If sand has been used, clean affected areas with wet cloths to prevent dust generation
- Wear protective gloves and masks during cleanup procedures
- Double-bag all contaminated materials including sand, cleaning cloths, and protective gear
- Restrict access to affected areas until thorough cleaning is complete
Return and Refund Procedures
Customers are instructed to return the complete product to their nearest Hobbycraft store for a full refund. For those unable to visit physical locations, the company advises following the safety procedures above, disposing of materials in general household waste, and contacting customer services directly to arrange refunds.
A Hobbycraft spokesperson reinforced their safety-first approach: "Product safety is of the utmost importance to Hobbycraft. Following independent testing of a children's sand product previously sold by Hobbycraft, traces of asbestos have been identified in a limited number of samples."
The recall demonstrates the rigorous safety standards applied to children's products in the UK retail sector, with Hobbycraft acting proactively to address potential hazards before they can cause harm to consumers.
