A baby swimming aid sold on Amazon has been destroyed at the UK border after safety regulators found it poses a serious drowning risk to infants. The product, a neck float designed to keep babies afloat, was seized by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) following concerns that it could deflate or tip over, potentially leading to drowning.
Product Seized After Safety Investigation
The OPSS identified the product as the 'Baby Swimming Aid Neck Float' and issued a safety alert. The regulator said the product failed to meet safety requirements and presented a 'serious risk of drowning' to young children. The neck float was intended for babies aged 3 to 24 months and sold on Amazon's UK marketplace.
According to the OPSS, the product was 'destroyed at the border' after being detained. The regulator added that it had instructed Amazon to remove the listing and notify customers who had purchased the item. Amazon confirmed it had taken down the listing and was contacting buyers.
Growing Concerns Over Baby Swimming Aids
The incident has reignited concerns about the safety of baby swimming aids sold online. In recent years, several products have been flagged for failing to meet safety standards. The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has warned that neck floats can give parents a false sense of security and may not prevent drowning.
Lee Heard, charity director at RLSS UK, said: 'These products are not safety devices and should never be used as a substitute for adult supervision. We urge parents to be cautious when buying swimming aids online and to always check for safety marks.'
OPSS Action and Advice for Parents
The OPSS said it is taking action to remove dangerous products from the market. A spokesperson for the regulator stated: 'We are committed to ensuring products sold in the UK are safe. We have detained and destroyed this product, and we are working with Amazon to ensure it is no longer available for sale.'
Parents who have purchased the neck float are advised to stop using it immediately and contact Amazon for a refund. The OPSS also recommends that parents only buy swimming aids that carry the UKCA or CE mark, indicating they meet safety standards.
Amazon said in a statement: 'Safety is a top priority. We have removed the listing and are proactively reaching out to customers who purchased the product to inform them of the issue and offer a full refund.'
