A recent investigation has uncovered 171 inflatable swim floats for infants being sold by third-party sellers on online marketplaces, with concerns that many could be deadly. These products include floats with canopies that may capsize or risk falls, injury, and drowning, as well as inflatable neck floats that could lead to neurological damage and drowning.
Among the products found, 25 floats appear to be identical to a float involved in the drowning death of a two-year-old child in the US. Despite official safety alerts and voluntary recalls, these items continue to be listed for sale.
The investigation identified 115 floats with canopies for sale across platforms including Aliexpress, Amazon, eBay, OnBuy, and Shein. These included products that appeared identical to or posed the same risks as those highlighted in safety alerts issued by the UK government's Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).
Additionally, 33 unsafe neck floats were found for sale on OnBuy and Vinted. International consumer organisations and industry bodies, including the Swimming Teachers Association (STA), have warned against the use of baby neck floats due to risks of drowning, suffocation, and neck injury.
Fourteen floats branded 'Relaxing Baby', which appear identical to a product linked to a child's death in the US, were found on OnBuy and Vinted. A further 11 similar floats with different or no brand names were also identified on Aliexpress and Vinted.