Parents across the UK are being advised to check their children's toy boxes following two urgent product recalls.
Alerting shoppers to serious choking and suffocation hazards, safety authorities have withdrawn Children's Non Toxic Water Beads and a range of Lanco Rubber Bath Toys from the market.
The water beads pose a "high risk of asphyxiation" when swallowed in their expanded state, while the bath toys present a "high risk of choking" due to protruding "limbs".
Both products fail to comply with the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011, prompting immediate action from regulators to protect vulnerable youngsters.
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The safety alert is particularly crucial in the lead-up to Christmas, as these dangerous products could be given as gifts.
The water beads, marketed under the name Smart Water Spheres Mix, have been pulled from sale by Badger Office Supplies Limited following intervention by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).
GOV.UK stated: "The product presents a high risk of asphyxiation because if the product is swallowed in its hydrated form, it can block a young child's airway."
These superabsorbent beads can expand to more than 400 times their original size when exposed to liquid, including stomach fluids. The OPSS has warned that water beads have been connected to child fatalities abroad and serious injuries within the UK.
The water beads pose a 'high risk of asphyxiation' when swallowed in their expanded state
|OPSS
Swallowed beads prove particularly difficult to detect as they do not appear on X-rays.
The Lanco Rubber Bath Toys recall affects three animal-shaped products sold by retailer Babi Pur between January 2023 and November 2025.
GOV.UK stated: "The octopus and crab present a high risk of choking as they have extended 'limbs' which could present a choking hazard for young children, particularly those under 10 months of age who have a natural tendency to explore objects by placing them in their mouths."
Also concerning for shoppers, the Spanish-made rubber toys, which include octopus, crab, and dolphin designs, also require improvements to their product marking and labelling.
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The octopus and crab present a 'high risk of choking', particularly for those under 10 months
|OPSS
Local Authority Trading Standards notified the recall after determining the items breached toy safety regulations.
Shoppers who have purchased either product should "stop using it immediately" and ensure it is kept away from young children.
Those with the Lanco bath toys can receive a full refund or exchange by contacting Babi Pur at hello@babipur.co.uk or telephoning +44 (0)1766 770644.
Water bead owners should contact their original distributor to arrange redress.
The OPSS advises that water beads should be kept entirely out of reach of children under five years of age, while older children should use them only under close adult supervision.
Parents noticing symptoms such as vomiting, stomach pain, or breathing difficulties should seek immediate medical attention.
These recalls come just days after Britons were warned of Christmas decorations that pose a choking risk to children.
In the lead-up to the big day, it's crucial to ensure any baubles or other seasonal adornments are safe to put up.
Product safety notices should always be taken seriously to ensure your safety. For the latest product recalls and withdrawals, Britons should consult the OPSS.
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