Health Canada warns that balloon blowing kits previously available on Walmart.ca Marketplace may pose a chemical hazard
Summary
Immediately stop using the affected products and dispose of them according to municipal hazardous waste guidelines.
Affected products
Balloon blowing kits are toys that consist of a solvent mixture in a tube and short plastic straws for blowing. Children can form balloons or bubbles by slowly squeezing out a ball of the mixture from the tube and sticking it on the end of the straw. The child then blows through the straw to create a bubble.
Product |
SKU |
|---|---|
“Colour Balloon” balloon blowing kits - Magic Bubble Gum Balloons for Kids, Elastic Blow Up Plastic Bubbles with Straw, Safe Non-Toxic Indoor Outdoor Toy, Multi-Color 7-Pack |
2V0SKPV6D7RQ |
“Colour Balloon” balloon blowing kits - KOYPTL Blow Bubble Balloon Toy with Straw for Toddlers Kids Ages 3+,Super Elastic Plastic Balloons for School Projects,Family Activities,Gift for Boys Girls Christmas Stocking Stuffers Birthday |
6AN3SOQ0PTMW, |
Issue
Children's balloon blowing kits containing solvents are banned in Canada.
The safety concern is that blowing the balloons expose a child to inhaling the vapours of any solvents present. If children blow this type of solvent containing balloon for extended periods they may experience early symptoms of central nervous system depression or dysfunction, including euphoria, hallucinations, dizziness, and difficulties with coordination of voluntary movements. Prolonged exposure can lead to more serious symptoms including muscular twitching, unconsciousness and coma.
What you should do
Consumers who have these affected products should immediately stop using them and safely dispose of the items according to municipal hazardous waste guidelines.
Regularly check the Healthy Canadians Recalls and Safety Alerts database for dangerous products and take action to remove items of concern.
Health Canada would like to remind consumers to report any health or safety incidents related to the use of these products or any other consumer product or cosmetic by filling out the Consumer Product Incident Report Form.
Related links
Stay connected with Health Canada and receive the latest advisories and product recalls using social media tools.
Additional information
What is being done
Health Canada has banned balloon blowing kits containing solvents in Canada under the Toys Regulations of the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act.
The products have been removed from sale online from Walmart.ca Marketplace. Health Canada has contacted the foreign third-party sellers and is advising consumers to immediately stop using the affected balloon blowing kits. Health Canada reminds consumers to learn about the risks of buying consumer products online (see Related Links above).
Walmart.ca Marketplace reported that 6 units of the affected products were sold in Canada.
To date, no incidents or injuries related to these products have been reported to Health Canada.
Health Canada is committed to helping protect consumers from potentially dangerous consumer products. The Department regularly tests consumer products available for sale in stores or online and continues to monitor products to help keep consumers safe.
Details
Distributors
Tojiyi
Guangzhou, Guangdong
China
PawBabyBloom
Wuhan, Hubei
China
Media and public enquiries
Media Enquiries
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca
Public Enquiries
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709
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