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Parents of young “Baby Shark” fans should know about a new recall affecting select toys associated with the beloved fish.
Specifically, after at least twelve children suffered “puncture wounds” upon accidentally falling on Baby Shark Sing & Swim bath toys, the product is being recalled.
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) announced the recall in a statement on Thursday.
In the notice, the product’s hazard was centered on the scenario of a child falling “onto the hard plastic top fin of the shark, posing risks of impalement, lacerations, and punctures.”
Ultimately, the USCPSC says the full-sized Baby Shark bath toys have resulted in documented injuries to at least twelve children. Specifically, these consisted of “impalement injuries, lacerations, and puncture wounds, including to children’s genital, anorectal, and facial areas.”
Nine of the twelve injured children “required stitches or medical attention.” While “no injuries have been reported” with the Mini Baby Shark bath toys, they’re included in the recall “out of an abundance of caution,” per AP News.
The USCPSC says major retailers like Walmart, Dollar General, Target, and Ross sold the products in question.
Specifically, the full-sized toys were sold from May 2019 to March 2023, and the minis were in stores between July 2020 and June 2023.
The recall announcement urges customers to “immediately stop using the recalled bath toys.” For the full-size and mini bath toys, people are eligible for refunds of $14 or $6, respectively.
To receive the money back, consumers are instructed to cut off the toy shark’s fin. Then write “recalled” on its body and upload a photo on this website.
Additionally, it’s important to note that the recall only impacts Baby Shark bath toys with hard, plastic dorsal fins. Products with soft, silicone fins are not affected.
