Urgent recall of Wiggles item that could cause serious injury or death

Parents have been issued an urgent warning over a popular children’s toy that risks causing serious injury or even death.

Parents have been issued an urgent warning over button battery concerns in a popular children’s toy.

The Yellow Emma Wiggle headband, with a yellow and black bow and four flashing lights, has been recalled over risks of choking, serious injury or death for young children.

The product, sold at more than 10 traders internationally, contains button batteries without the required warning information.

Parents have been issued an urgent warning over the Yellow Emma Wiggle headband over concerns it could cause serious injury or death. Picture: Product Safety Australia.

The product, sold at more than 10 traders internationally, contains button batteries without the required warning information. Picture: Product Safety Australia.

The batteries “may not be adequately secured” and might be accessible to young children.

If swallowed or placed inside their body, children could run the risk of serious injury and even death.

In Australia one child per month is seriously injured by button batteries, while three children have died from the batteries since 2013.

Summer Steer, the first Australian child to die from the battery, was just four years old when she swallowed the button battery.

Her mother, Andrea Shoesmith, has called for the batteries to be banned after her child was sent home from the hospital three times while she vomited blood.

She urged parents not to purchase products with the batteries in an interview with 7News earlier this year.

Summer Steer was the first Australian child to die from swallowing a button battery.

Summer Steer’s mother has since called for a blanket ban on the batteries.

The batteries can become stuck in children’s throats, with saliva triggering an electrical current that can cause severe burns to the oesophagus and internal organs, including lungs, heart and vital arteries.

The batteries can also cause significant injuries if lodged into body orifices such as ears and noses.

They’re used in remotes, watches, computers, calculators and a range of other household products and children’s toys.

Consumers have been urged to stop using the Yellow Emma Wiggle headband immediately and keep it out of reach of children.

The product

A full refund is available for customers, according to the Product Safety Australia alert.

The product has been available for purchase at: Aussie Toys Online, ABC Kids Paradise, Etcetera Home & Gifts, J & P Designs, LatestBuy, Mighty Ape Limited, Nextra Kalgoorlie Newsagency, Rugs N Timber, Sanity, True Blue Toys Australia, Tates Toyworld, and The Wiggles.

The Wiggles said “nothing is more important” to the group than the safety of children in a statement.

“Upon identifying this potential safety issue, we have taken immediate action and collaborated with the relevant teams to address the matter,” the statement read.

“We sincerely apologise for any concern or inconvenience this may cause and want to reassure our community that we take this situation very seriously.

“The Wiggles no longer stocks any products containing button batteries, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to provide safe and enjoyable experiences for all children.”

Originally published as Urgent recall of Wiggles item that could cause serious injury or death