THOUSANDS of baby products sold online are putting tots’ lives at risk, experts warn.
Health professionals have seen various dodgy items in people’s homes, ranging from sleep accessories to certain types of toys and teethers.
GettyParents have been warned to make sure what they purchase online is safe[/caption]
GettyBaby products found online were considered ‘unsafe’ by experts[/caption]
Parents are now being warned to make sure what they purchase online is certified.
An ITV survey of health visitors found 88 per cent had come across parents using unsafe baby products they had bought from online shops.
And nearly all (97 per cent) said they were concerned about the availability of these products in the UK.
As part of a wider investigation, ITV bought baby products from unnamed third-party sellers on three major online marketplaces and showed them to experts.
This included a cot bumper, a sleep nest, a sleep positioner, a swaddle blanket, a dummy clip and a teething necklace.
The products have not been tested in a laboratory, but after an initial assessment, the experts said they were unsuitable and potentially unsafe.
Katrina Phillips OBE, chief executive of Child Accident Prevention Trust, described them as “potential tragedies waiting to happen”.
She said: “I feel really worried about it.
“Parents tell us that they think things that they’re buying online from online marketplaces have been independently tested and certified safe, and that isn’t necessarily the case if you’re buying from an overseas seller on an online marketplace.”
Since the investigation, two unnamed online marketplaces have removed the items from their website and told ITV they’re preventing the sale of similar ones.
However, the third parties who sold the swaddle blanket and dummy clip did not comment on the findings or remove the items.
Lisa Gee, 36, has been campaigning for ten years to raise awareness of the health risks of cot bumpers after he son died.
Preston, who was nine months old, was found in his cot with fabric from a cot bumper wrapped around his neck.
An inquest could not determine the cause of Preston’s death, but his parents blame the cot bumper, which was bought online.
The mum told ITV she felt “awful” that so many parents were buying these products.
“They’re buying something and assuming that it’s safe because it’s sold, but they could be unknowingly putting their baby in danger every day, and it’s worrying, and it’s scary, and it’s not fair, and it’s not right.”
Earlier this year, US politicians called for popular baby loungers to be banned after they were linked to dozens of deaths.
At least 25 deaths have been linked to baby loungers since 2015, NBC News revealed.
How to choose safe products for your tot
The Lullaby Trust warned parents to keep cots clear and avoid products such as cot bumpers, sleep nests and positioners.
The advice is to use a firm, waterproof mattress and some lightweight blankets or a baby sleeping bag.
Some baby products might carry a CE marking, which means the product complies with European Directives and Regulations.
However, it can’t be guaranteed that a product is 100 per cent safe, as it is impossible to eliminate all risk factors.
When checking a toy for a baby or toddler, ensure it’s unbreakable and strong enough to withstand chewing.
Check it doesn’t have sharp ends or small parts like eyes, wheels, or buttons that can be pulled loose or small ends that can reach the back of the mouth.