Buyer beware: list of potentially unsafe children’s products
When shopping for children's products, it's very important to be aware of potential safety concerns. Check out this list of children's products that Health Canada has warned against purchasing or using. These products may still be available for sale either new or used in retail stores, garage sales, flea or farmer's markets, and through individual resales or online. They may also be gifted to you by family or friends.
Before buying or being gifted a children's product, check that it isn't the subject of an advisory, recall or safety alert by searching the recalls and safety alerts database. Make sure to check the "include archive" box to include all notices.
On this page
- Inclined infant products used for sleep
- Baby nests, loungers, bumper pads and positioners
- Bedside sleeping products
- Infant bath seats and rings
- Older-style Fisher-Price Little People figures
- Children's products with button batteries
- Water beads
Inclined infant products used for sleep
Issue: Suffocation and fall hazard
Health Canada does not recommend the use of inclined infant products, such as baby rockers, swings and bouncers, as a place for an infant to sleep. Inclined infant sleepers and hammocks are banned in Canada. Inclined products can cause your baby to move into a position where they cannot breathe.
Public advisories, recalls and safety alerts:
- Health Canada advises consumers to stop using Amby Baby motion beds
- Parents and caregivers warned about the dangers of baby hammocks
- Consumer advisory: Fisher Price newborn rock 'N play sleeper
- Fisher-Price Newborn Rock 'n Play Sleeper recalled due to reports of deaths in the United States
- Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play Sleepers recalled due to reports of deaths in the United States (sold on Amazon.ca)
- Health Canada advises Canadians to stop using and selling two Baby's Journey infant napper products
- Health Canada warns consumers that Fisher-Price infant-to-toddler and newborn-to-toddler rockers should not be used for sleep
- Peg Perego Canada YPSI and Z4 Bassinets recalled due to risk of entrapment and suffocation
- Isabelle & Max Linzy Bassinet with Mattress recalled due to entrapment and suffocation hazards
- Fisher-Price snuga swings recalled due to suffocation hazard
- Costway Babyjoy Baby High Chair recalled due to entrapment, suffocation and fall hazards
Safety tip: Babies should always sleep on a firm, flat surface. Learn more about sleep safety for babies, infants and children.
Baby nests, loungers, bumper pads and positioners
Issue: Suffocation hazard
Baby nests or loungers are small, portable beds for an infant. They typically have a quilted, cushioned, or fabric panel sleep surface that is surrounded by raised cushion sides. A baby can suffocate against the baby nest's soft, padded side. Sleep positioners and crib bumper pads also pose a similar suffocation risk and are not recommended.
Public advisories, recalls and safety alerts:
- Consumer product update: Health Canada warns Canadians of health and safety risks of baby nests
- Boppy original newborn loungers, Boppy preferred newborn loungers and Pottery Barn Kids Boppy newborn loungers recalled due to suffocation hazard
- Style Life Eleven Baby Loungers recalled due to fall and entrapment hazards
- Zoomie Kids and VEVOR baby, infant and newborn loungers, nests and sleepers recalled due to fall and entrapment hazards
- La Millou Baby Best Nest recalled due to fall, strangulation and entrapment hazards
- Health Canada warns that the HAPDEN Travel Portable Crib Fence Bed Cradle available on Walmart.ca Marketplace may pose a risk of strangulation, entrapment and falling
- Health Canada warns that Housbay baby nests available on AliExpress.ca may pose a risk of strangulation, entrapment, choking and falling
- BChic and Chicure model baby nests recalled due to fall, strangulation and entrapment hazards
- Health Canada warns that FFQRLP Brand Baby Lounger for 0-24 months available on Amazon.ca may pose a risk of strangulation, entrapment and falling
- Health Canada warns Canadians of safety risks linked to baby nests and loungers
- Health Canada warns that baby nests and baby loungers available on the babybubblestore.ca website may pose a risk of strangulation, entrapment, choking and falling
Safety tip: The safest place for a baby to sleep is in a crib, cradle or bassinet that meets the Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets Regulations. Learn more about cribs, cradles and bassinets.
Bedside sleeping products
Issue: Suffocation and entrapment hazards
Bedside sleeping products usually have three closed sides and one open side, or one side that can be lowered to create an opening. The open side is meant to be placed against the adult bed. A baby can become trapped in the space between the adult bed and the sleeper. Additionally, these products may have mattress supports with adjustable angles. If sleeping on a mattress support adjusted to an angle greater than 7 degrees, a baby can move into a position where they cannot breathe.
Public advisories, recalls and safety alerts:
- Archived - Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible bassinets
- Co-Sleeper®infant bedside sleepers
- Arm's Reach cribs and bassinets recalled due to not meeting Canadian requirements
- évolur Stellar Bassinet & Bedside Sleeper recalled due to potential injury hazard
- Lil Jumbl Bedside Bassinet recalled due to potential injury hazard
- Unilove Hug Me Plus 2-in-1 bedside sleeper and portable cradle recalled due to risk of entrapment and suffocation hazards
- Costway Portable Baby Bed Side Sleeper Infant Travel Crib with Carrying Bag recalled due to entrapment and suffocation hazards
- Update: Fodoss baby bedside bassinet recalled due to entrapment and suffocation hazards
- LivingBasics baby bassinet bedside sleeper bedside crib recalled due to risk of entrapment, suffocation, choking and other injuries
- Costway 3-in-1 Baby Bassinet Bedside Sleeper Crib with 5-level adjustable heights recalled due to entrapment and suffocation hazards
- Gymax 3-in-1 Baby Bassinet Bedside Sleeper Crib with 5-Level Adjustable Height recalled due to entrapment and suffocation hazards
- Health Canada warns that Angelbliss Baby Bassinet Bedside Crib previously available on Amazon.ca may pose a risk of entrapment and suffocation
Safety tip: Room sharing is a safer choice for babies. Learn more about safe sleep for your baby.
Infant bath seats and rings
Issue: Drowning hazard
Infant bath seats and bath rings can pose significant risks for babies when not used with caution. Many drownings and incidents have been linked to these products due to the product becoming unstable in water and tipping over, the infant climbing out of the product, or the infant slipping through one of the leg openings and becoming lodged under water. These products may also give caregivers a false sense of security that it is safe to leave a child briefly while in the seat. Infants should never be left unattended in water.
Public advisories, recalls and safety alerts:
- Archived – Health Canada reminds caregivers that constant supervision is needed while bathing infants
- Abond Group Inc. recalls Tubeez Baby Bath Support
Safety tip: Always keep your baby within sight and in arm's reach when bathing them. Learn more about bath safety.
Older-style Fisher-Price Little People figures
Issue: Ingestion and choking hazards
The size and shape of the older Fisher-Price Little People figures, manufactured before 1991, are unsafe. The toys can become lodged in a child's throat, completely blocking off airflow which can result in serious injury or death.
Public advisories, recalls and safety alerts:
- Public advisory: Fisher-Price "Little People" figures manufactured before 1991
Safety tip: The toys should be disposed of in normal household garbage in such a way that they cannot be used or re-sold. Learn more about toy safety.
Children's products with button batteries
Issue: Choking, ingestion and chemical burn hazards
Button batteries can become lodged in a child's throat if swallowed. The child's saliva instantly triggers an electrical current causing a chemical reaction that can burn through the esophagus, the windpipe and the main artery in as little as two hours. Batteries that pass through to the stomach can also cause serious damage. Even used or expired batteries still pose a risk.
Public advisories, recalls and safety alerts:
- Red Planet Group recalls Little Live Pets Lil Frog Toys
- Dollarama L.P. recalls Little Live Pets Lil' Frog Lily Pad
- Wild Republic Slap Watches recalled due to potential battery ingestion and choking hazards if the coin cell battery is released
- Button batteries pose life-threatening dangers to young children
- H&M girl's hair clip with LED light recalled due to choking hazard
Safety tip: Keep loose button batteries out of sight and reach of children. For products containing button batteries, make sure the batteries are secured in a screw-shut compartment. If a suspected button battery ingestion occurs, seek immediate emergency medical attention. Learn more about button battery safety.
Water beads
Issue: Aspiration, choking and injury hazards
Water beads are water-absorbing gel beads. They can grow up to 1,500 times their size when placed in water. These beads are very small and colourful leading them to be easily mistaken for candy. If ingested, water beads can continue to grow inside the body leading to potentially life-threatening injuries, such as intestinal or bowel obstruction.
Public advisories, recalls and safety alerts:
- Monster Science Colossal Water Balls and Super Star Science Colossal Water Balls by Be Amazing! Toys
- Spirit Halloween Superstores and Be Amazing! Toys recall Monster Science Growing Spider
- Water beads may pose life-threatening risks to young children
Safety tip: Water beads should always be stored in an airtight container out of sight and reach of children, especially those under the age of five.