Hundreds of lifejackets for children and adults urgently recalled over drowning risk

Hundreds of lifejackets have been recalled in Ireland ahead of the August Bank Holiday weekend due to the reported risk of drowning.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) issued the recall notice on a number of Helly Hansen AS lifejackets, including ones designed for children.

According to the CCPC's recall notice: "Due to a manufacturing issue, the product may fail during use and may pose a risk of drowning to the lifejacket user."

As people enjoy the summer weather over the coming weeks at beaches and popular swimming spots, the CCPC has urged consumers to stop using the impacted lifejackets "immediately" and in fact "destroy the product following the instructions in the Recall Notice."

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There are approximately 394 of the affected products in the Republic Ireland. The lifejackets have been sold through retailers such as Union Chandlery Ltd, Great Outdoors Ltd, Central Sports, Portwest Retail Ltd, Call Of The Wild, Wet N’ Wild, Gerald Stanley & Son Ltd, Gannon Sports, Landers Oudctdoor World Ltd, Barnetts, Kinsale Sports Store, The Matthews Centre Ltd, Wild Side Sports, Trailblazers, Mc’s Outdoor Store, O J Corporate Wear/ Outback Jacks, and Pod Marine Ltd.

The recalled lifejackets include the style 33800 Navigare Comfort in sizes 30/40kg, 40/60kg, 60/90kg, 90+kg with the PO Numbers (which can be found on the waist sew-in label) 275063, 275857, 286301.

Also listed is the 33801 Navigare Scan in sizes 30/40kg, 40/60kg, 60/90kg, 90+kg with PO Numbers 275064, 275858, 279872, 286302.

Then there is 33992 Junior Safe+ in sizes 20/35kg with PO Numbers 275095, 275878, 279884. 

Finally, there is 33991 Kid Safe+ in sizes 10/25kg with PO Numbers 279883, 286310.

Anyone who believes they may have one of these affected lifejackets can contact Helly Hansen to arrange a return by contacting recall@hellyhansen.com. The CCPC said Helly Hansen is offering a full refund of the purchase price or a voucher with the same amount.

You can also contact Helly Hansen directly via the Customer service contact form on their website or by calling (+353) (0)148 77 039.