The great Spinoff recall list: How many of these are your kids still using?
A RANDOM SELECTION OF ITEMS RECALLED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS (PHOTOS: RECALLS.GOVT.NZ)
In part two of The Spinoff’s great recall list, we look at various items targeted towards parents and children, such as toys, strollers, cots, carriers, rattles, bottles, and kids pyjamas.
Below is a selection of recalled items we think are most relevant to consumers (part one looked at a selection of common household items). Of course, it goes without saying that this is by no means an exhaustive list – for that you need to be looking at the government’s official website.
Read More: How many of these common household items do you have?
Toys
As the second most commonly recalled category in the last three years, it’s no surprise that more than 50 toys and novelty items have been recalled in the last five years. Approximately half of these are from dollar/discount stores like Lotsa Goodies and 123 Mart (no longer trading), but plenty of more reputable retailers like Farmers, Trade Aid, and Smiggle make appearances as well.
Also: choking hazard, choking hazard, unsafe levels of lead, choking hazard.
RECALL DATE
BRAND
PRODUCT
RETAILERS
SALE
DATE
RISK
2018
Shape sorter (Noah’s ark)
Various toy stores
2015 – 2018
Choking hazard
Aquatic toy set
Lotsa Goodies
2012 – 2018
Choking hazard
Tricycle
Various dollar/discount stores
2013 – 2017
Choking hazard
Skiing rabbit push toy
Various dollar/discount stores
2011 –
Choking hazard
Torch & Chocolate eggs
The Warehouse
2018
Choking hazard
Wooden alphabet set
Various dollar/discount stores
2017 – 2018
Choking hazard
Push toy
Unknown
2015 – 2018
Choking hazard
Baby toy set
Lotsa Goodies
2012 – 2018
Choking hazard
Plastic baby
Lotsa Goodies
2012 – 2018
Choking hazard
Quadcopter drone
Farmers
2017
Fire/Overheating
2017
Clown counting set
Trade Aid/The Addington Store/Kimarnock Toys/Living Nature/UBS Otago/Marmalade
2015 – 2017
Choking hazard
Christmas decorations
Farmers
Unknown
Choking hazard
Wooden train
Various toy stores
Unknown
Choking hazard
Sensory shapes
Various toy stores
Unknown
Choking hazard
Dice puzzle
Daiso $3 Japan
Unknown
Choking hazard
Rubber duck
Daiso $3 Japan
Unknown
Choking hazard
Aquatic toy set
Daiso $3 Japan
Unknown
Choking hazard
Cyclone projectile toy
Daiso $3 Japan
Unknown
Facial & eye injuries
Remote-control car
Unknown
Unknown
Fire
Construction puzzle
Unknown
Unknown
Choking hazard
Teddy bear
Various
2016 – 2017
Does not comply with standards
LED fidget spinner
Nitrous Spinner kiosks
2017
Choking hazard
Toy trumpet
Japan Mart
2016 – 2017
Choking hazard
Magnet buddy
The Warehouse
2016 – 2017
Choking hazard
Toy instruments
Unknown
Unknown
Choking hazard
Wooden train
Kmart
2017
Choking hazard
Teddy bear
Unknown
Unknown
Choking hazard
Oball rattle
Unknown
2016 –
Choking hazard
Nesting dolls (bookends)
Trade Aid/The Addington Store/Potters Patch Cooperative
Unknown
Unsafe levels of lead
Nesting dolls
Trade Aid/The Addington Store
2016 – 2017
Unsafe levels of lead
Flute
Trade Aid
2016 – 2017
Unsafe levels of lead
2016
LED spinning wand (Halloween)
Countdown
2016
Choking hazard
Fairy dolls
123 Mart/Dollar Store 123/King Dollar Store/Max!Out
Unknown
Choking hazard
Butterfly push toy
123 Mart/Dollar Store 123/King Dollar Store/Max!Out
Unknown
Choking hazard
Toy instruments
123 Mart/Dollar Store 123/King Dollar Store/Max!Out
Unknown
Choking hazard
Doll (Surprised Girls)
123 Mart/Dollar Store 123/King Dollar Store/Max!Out
Unknown
Choking hazard
Doll & furniture
123 Mart/Dollar Store 123/King Dollar Store/Max!Out
Unknown
Choking hazard
Mermaid doll
Various dollar/discount stores
2015 – 2016
Choking hazard
Yoyo
Smiggle
2015 – 2016
Choking hazard
Quad bike
Kmart
2015 – 2016
Electric shock (charger)
Buzzy bee pull along
Unknown
Unknown
Choking hazard
Toy trumpet
123 Mart
2011 – 2015
Choking hazard
Baby rattle
123 Mart
2011 – 2015
Choking hazard
Alphabet magnets
123 Mart
2011 – 2015
Choking hazard
House & furniture set
123 Mart
2011 – 2015
Choking hazard
Wind-up toy (yellow snake)
123 Mart
2011 – 2015
Choking hazard
2015
Christmas decorations
Kmart
2010 – 2015
Choking hazard
Spy marker pen
Smiggle
2014 – 2015
Choking hazard
Teddy bear
Wellington, Christchurch & Waikato hospitals (free gift)
2010 – 2015
Choking hazard
Light up animal ring
The Warehouse
2015
Choking hazard
2014
Bouncy ball
Smiggle
2014
Fire
Swirling streamers
Office Max/Learn & Play
2014
Unsafe levels of lead
Loopz fan
Smiggle
2013 – 2014
Battery leakage
Maracas
Kidstuff/Baby Kingdom/ABC etc
2013
Choking hazard
Nursery (+accessories)
At least 17 recalls have been made for nursery-related items (includes pacifiers, toy boxes etc.) since 2013.
RECALL DATE
BRAND
PRODUCT
RETAILERS
SALE
DATE
RISK
2018
Touch thermometer
Farmers/Baby City etc.
2017
Battery compartment not secure
Decorative canopy
Adairs
2017 – 2018
Strangulation
Bouncer seat
The Warehouse
2017 – 2018
Harness may detach
2017
Bassinette
Baby Factory
2015 – 2017
Buckling / Splintering
Travel mobile
VTech stockists
Unknown
Clamp failure
Toy box
The Warehouse
2014 -2017
Hinge irregularities
Basket stand
Adairs
Unknown
Stand may collapse
2016
Play bar toy
Unknown
Unknown
Choking hazard
Pacifier clip
Online stockists
2015 – 2016
Choking hazard
Basket stand
Farmers
Unknown
Stand may collapse
Cot
Baby Factory
2011 – 2014
Incorrect signage
Cot
Baby City
2012 – 2015
Snag hazard/Frame may crack/Incomplete signage
Rattles (Peter Rabbit)
Ballantynes/Smith & Caugheys/Kirkcaldie & Stains
2015
Choking hazard
2014
Cot
Supplied by MTA
2013 – 2014
Fall hazard
Barrier
The Warehouse
2013 – 2014
Barrier may be pulled out of position
2013
Pacifier
Tommee Tippee stockists
2012 – 2013
Choking hazard
Pacifier
Independent gift stores
2013
Choking hazard
Baby carriers, strollers, capsules & car seats
At least 16 recalls have been issued for travel-related products for kids and infants. Cars seats prove to be the most problematic with seven recalls in the last four years while strollers come second with four.
RECALL DATE
BRAND
PRODUCT
RETAILERS
SALE
DATE
RISK
2018
Car seat
Various baby & auto retailers
2013 – 2018
Insufficient restraint when secured with lap belt
2017
Stroller
iCandy stockists
2016 – 2017
Fall hazard
Capsule
Baby Factory/Kidzclub/Baby On The Move etc.
2016 – 2017
Choking hazard from chest clip
Capsule
Baby Factory/Kidzclub/Baby On The Move etc.
2011 – 2017
Receiver mounts may disconnect unexpectedly
2016
Car seat
Top Deal
2016
Non-compliant legally
Stroller
Nurtured/Mummmum/The Kids Department
2015 – 2016
Fall hazard
Carrier
Unknown
Unknown
Insufficient stitching
Carrier
Twin Go stockists
2015 – 2016
Waist buckle breakage
Stroller
Unknown
2015 – 2016
Hinge may loosen
Car seat
Recaro stockists
2013 –
Top tether may detach
Capsule
Unknown
Unknown
Handle may crack
2015
Car seat
Unknown
Unknown
Shoulder straps may loosen
Car seat
The Baby Factory
2015
Loosened harness may make restraint ineffective
2014
Car seat adaptor
Unknown
Unknown
Adaptors may crack in cold temperatures
Car seat
Unknown
Unknown
Harness buckle may become defective
Stroller
Unknown
Unknown
Finger laceration
Kids & infant clothing
Choking hazard, insufficient labelling and carcinogenic properties are the three main reasons for recalling children’s clothing, especially when it comes to sleepwear.
RECALL DATE
BRAND
PRODUCT
RETAILERS
SALE
DATE
RISK
2018
Pyjamas (Tinkerbell)
Avondale Dollar Saver
2017
Insufficient fire hazard labelling
Pyjamas (Pixar’s Cars)
Avondale Dollar Saver
2017
Insufficient fire hazard labelling
Dressing gown
Marks & Spencer online
2016 – 2017
Insufficient fire hazard labelling
Dressing gown
Avondale Dollar Saver
2017 – 2018
Insufficient fire hazard labelling
Pyjamas (Pixar’s Cars & Strawberry Shortcake)
Avondale Dollar Saver
2017 – 2018
Insufficient fire hazard labelling
Baby sleep sack
Cotton On Kids/Cotton On Mega
Unknown
Choking hazard
2017
Baby sleep sack/bodysuit
Babu online
2016 – 2017
Choking hazard
Brogue shoe
EziBuy
2016 – 2017
Carcinogenic properties
2016
Infant bathrobe (animal-themed)
Groupon
Unknown
Insufficient fire hazard labelling
Sweatshirt (elephant)
Country Road
Unknown
Choking hazard
Pyjamas
123 Mart/Dollar Store 123/King Dollar Store/Max!Out
Unknown
Insufficient fire hazard labelling
Country Road
Infant sock
Country Road
Unknown
Choking hazard
Sunhat
Various
2015 – 2016
Choking hazard
2015
Nohi/Absorba/RuffleButts/Joules
Pyjamas
EziBuy/BuyInvite
2014 – 2015
Insufficient fire hazard labelling
Pyjamas (Barbie Princess & Monster High Ghouls)
Kmart
2015
Insufficient standards
Pyjamas
Kmart
2015
Insufficient standards
2014
Nappy shell
BeBops online
2013 – 2014
Choking hazard
Jeans/Pants/Shorts
Just Jeans
2013 –
Carcinogenic properties
Outdoor play
Includes outdoor playground items like swings and slides, and sporting goods like kayaks, scooters, and safety helmets.
RECALL DATE
BRAND
PRODUCT
RETAILERS
SALE
DATE
RISK
2018
Spin swing’ attachment
No1 Fitness
Unknown
Fall hazard
Foldable electric scooter
Crazy Sales online
2017 – 2018
Fire/Electric shock
2017
Helix pool slide
Austra Pool & Spa
2014
Fall hazard
2016
Kayak (youth)
Rebel Sports
Unknown
Water may enter due to fault
Swing sets
The Warehouse
2015 –
Chain may detach
Sports net
Unknown
Unknown
Bracing arm may detach
2014
3-in-1 safety swing
Farmers
2012 –
Fall hazard
Skate helmet
Kmart
2012 – 2014
Straps may fail
Homeware
If it’s got batteries, it’s probably a choking hazard.
RECALL DATE
BRAND
PRODUCT
RETAILERS
SALE
DATE
RISK
2018
Neon lights
Unknown
2017
Burns from overheating
2017
Sipper cup
Kmart/The Warehouse
2017
Choking hazard
2016
Flashing tumblers (Halloween)
Countdown
2016
Choking hazard
Water bottle
Smiggle
2016
Choking hazard
2015
Souvenir tumbler
Event & Rialto Cinemas
2015
Choking hazard
Cube clock
Smiggle
Feb 2015
Choking hazard
DIY light
Smiggle
Feb 2015
Choking hazard
2014
Kids table set
kikki.K
Feb 2014 – Jun 2014
Choking hazard
Read More:
The Great Spinoff Recall list: How many of these common household items do you have?
There have been 22 heater recalls since 2010, and there’s a decent chance yours is on the list
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Jihee Junn
Jihee Junn is an Auckland-based freelance journalist and former staff writer at The Spinoff.
