EU Safety Gate · Report-2007-6

Unknown · Hot-water bottles with soft toy covers in the shape of different animals: beavers and hippos

An examination of the soft toy hot-water bottle showed that the stopper of the hot-water bottle could be swallowed or breathed in by children because of its size. If the screw-in stopper enters a child's airway, it can cause death by choking. The product is clearly intended for children below 36 months. The manufacturer cannot contradict this, not even by including the warning "contains small parts that may be swallowed – not suitable for children under three years old". Toys for this age group must not contain parts that may be swallowed. This product does not comply with the Toys Directive and the relevant European standard EN 71-1.