A UK-wide safety alert has been issued urging the public to immediately stop using pimple popping squishy toys that contain sharp needles or syringes. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) published the notice on Friday, October 9, warning of a "risk of injury" associated with these products.
In a statement on Gov.uk, the OPSS advises people to cease using the toys without delay. The alert follows an urgent investigation into the sale of these products across the UK. Online retailers have been directed to remove all associated listings, and businesses are being called on to monitor their platforms and notify customers of the potential dangers.
Toys fall under UK safety regulations
While frequently marketed as adult stress relievers, the OPSS states that these items come under UK toy safety regulations and present a serious injury risk to both adults and children. The toys are designed to allow users to create bubbles or inject liquids using sharp needles, and are meant to be squeezed or popped.
The OPSS said: "While many of the products are marketed as 'adult stress toys', they clearly fall within the scope of UK Toy Regulations and present a risk of injury to people of all ages including children."
Child hospitalised after injury
These toys require users to employ a sharp, unsterile medical needle or syringe to inject air or liquid into the toy, forming a bubble or blister to pop. At least one child has already been taken to A&E after using such a toy.
According to reports published by The Telegraph and Metro, a child required emergency hospital treatment after accidentally stabbing themselves in the hand and piercing their finger with the sharp, unsterile medical needle contained within one of the "pimple popper" sets. This injury, coupled with a surge in the toys' popularity across social media platforms, prompted the Department for Business and Trade and consumer protection watchdogs to launch a formal safety investigation.
Infection and disposal advice
Beyond skin punctures, the unsterile needles carry a serious risk of infection. Watchdogs have warned that should air bubbles be accidentally injected into a child's bloodstream, it could trigger severe medical complications such as a stroke, heart attack, or respiratory failure.
The OPSS has published several product safety notices identifying the affected toys. Anyone in possession of one is strongly advised to stop using it immediately and store any sharp components in a puncture-proof container until they can be disposed of safely. They must be kept entirely out of reach of children.
The needles should be secured by placing them directly into a hard, puncture-resistant container, such as a sharps bin or a robust plastic container fitted with a firmly sealed lid. Loose needles must never be discarded directly into general household waste.
You can check your local council's website or contact them directly for information on waste disposal in your area. Certain pharmacies and medical centres may also accept sharps containers, though it is advisable to confirm this before making a trip.
