TK Maxx and Homesense have issued an urgent recall for a range of children's swim vests sold between April and August, citing a potential risk of drowning. The recall was prompted by the discovery that the products bear an incorrectly applied CE mark, indicating they have not been tested to the required safety standards. Consequently, these swim vests may not function as suitable buoyancy aids, posing a serious hazard if relied upon in water.

The affected swim vests, which retailed at prices between £9.99 and £12.99, came in various designs featuring creatures such as whales, dinosaurs, sharks, starfish, unicorns, crabs, fish, juice floats, or seahorses. Some of these vests may or may not have had goggles attached. Parents who purchased these items have been advised to cease using them immediately.

Many parents reacted to the recall, with some sharing their experiences of having bought the vests for their children over the summer. A concerned parent initially brought the news to light on the Facebook group 'Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK', warning others who might not be aware of the recall. Several customers expressed disappointment, including one who had packed the vest for an upcoming holiday and now had to return it.

Customers can identify the recalled items by checking specific product codes found on their price tickets or receipts. The affected product codes include 819852, 819854, 819856, 819864, 819866, 819868, 819870, 819884, 819886, 819888, 819904, 819906, 819908, 819910, 819911, 819912, and 819914. TK Maxx and Homesense are offering a full refund or replacement for all impacted swim vests, which can be returned to any of their stores across the UK and Ireland.

For further assistance, customers in the UK can contact TK Maxx's customer service team at 01923 473561, and Irish customers at 01 2476126. Both can also reach out via email at [email protected]. This recall underscores the importance of proper safety certifications for children's products.