Primark recalls Halloween items over alarming contamination fears
Primark has issued an urgent recall of two Halloween decorations over fears they could contain a potentially dangerous substance, with shoppers being warned to stop using them immediately.
With Halloween just weeks away, many Brits will already be stocking up on spooky decorations, costumes and other seasonal bits to get their homes ready for 31 October.
However, anyone who's recently picked up seasonal festive homeware from the high street retailer is being urged to check their purchases following concerns about possible asbestos contamination.
The warning concerns two Halloween-themed gonk doorstops, which were sold in Primark stores earlier this year.
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According to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), the sand sealed inside the decorations may contain small quantities of asbestos, a substance which has been banned in the UK since 1999 due to its serious health risks.
The affected products include a Witch Mini Gonk, featuring grey hair and a pointed witch's hat, and a Pumpkin Gonk, which sports a pumpkin-shaped hat.
Both items have now been withdrawn from sale, with Primark urging customers who have already purchased them to take immediate precautions.
In an official product recall notice published on 6 October, the OPSS warned: "The products present a risk to health as the sand sealed inside the gonks may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos."
The government agency explained that asbestos is banned because it can pose health risks even at low levels of exposure.
It added: "We recommend owners stop using the product immediately and keep out of the reach of children."
The two products can be identified using the following details:
- Witch Mini Gonk: Model number 991174794, barcode 212047125.
- Pumpkin Gonk: Model number 991179148, barcode 212080261.
Primark has also addressed the recall, explaining that testing indicated some of the decorations could contain trace amounts of the hazardous material.
"Testing has shown the sand material inside some products may contain trace levels of asbestos, and this may present a risk if inhaled," the retailer said.
Asbestos was once widely used in building materials because of its heat-resistant properties, but exposure to its fibres can cause serious health conditions, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.
The dangers are primarily associated with breathing in airborne fibres, which is why shoppers have been given specific instructions about handling the recalled decorations.
If the gonk is undamaged, customers should place it inside a heavy-duty plastic bag, seal it securely with double tape, label it clearly, and keep it somewhere safe and out of children's reach.
However, if the decoration has split open and the sand is exposed, the advice is slightly different.
Owners should wear gloves and a mask while cleaning affected surfaces with wet cloths to avoid creating dust.
The decoration, any loose filling, and the materials used during cleaning should then be double-bagged.
Children and other people should also be kept away from the affected area until it has been cleaned.
Anyone who has purchased either product can return it to their nearest Primark store for a full refund, with no receipt required.
Those unable to return the decorations are advised to contact their local council for guidance on safely disposing of materials that may contain asbestos.
Primark has also encouraged shoppers to share the warning with anyone who might have been given or purchased one of the affected products second-hand.
"Spread the word about this recall," the retailer urged, particularly if an affected item has been lent, gifted or sold to somebody else.
For further information, shoppers can consult the official product recall notice on the government website or contact Primark directly.
Tyla has reached out to Primark for comment.
Jen Thomas