Urgent recall over danger to children

Parents and carers are being urged to keep “secret message” pens and a light bulb key ring sold across Australia away from kids, amid concerns the button batteries in the products may cause choking or seriously injure young children.

Product Safety Australia (PSA) has recalled the “secret agent invisible spy pens”, “magic UV pen – fairies in the garden” and “light bulb key ring” from Australian stationery wholesale company Bobangles.

All three products contain button batteries and fail to comply with required standards for products containing button/coin batteries, according to the PSA recall notices.

PSA warns there is a risk of choking or serious injury if young children gain access to the button/coin batteries and swallow or place them inside their body, and says that consumers may not be aware the products contain button batteries.

The “secret agent invisible spy pens” are secret message UV light pens that came in a set containing one red and one blue pen, with the product code “SKU: 26178”.

The “light bulb key ring” is a novelty light bulb shaped key ring, with the product code “SKU: 28964”.

PSA warns that the button/coin batteries are not adequately secured on the “light bulb key ring” or “secret agent invisible spy pens”, and may become accessible to young children.

The products also fail to include the required warning information.

“Consumers must stop using the products immediately and keep them out of reach of children,” the PSA recall notice instructs.

“Consumers should return the items to the place of purchase to receive a full refund.”

For the third Bobangles product, the “magic UV pen – fairies in the garden”, consumers are advised to contact Bobangles or the place of purchase to receive the required warning information, which is missing from the pen’s instructions.

The “magic UV pen – fairies in the garden” is described as a blue secret message UV light pen with a fairy design printed on it, and has the product code “SKU: 29903”.

All three products were sold between 15 September 2023 and 3 April this year, and were stocked at a variety of stores nationwide, including chemists, bookstores, newsagencies and toy shops.

A list of traders is available at https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recalls.

More information is available by emailing reception@bobangles.com.au or by calling 03 9553 6111, between 7.30am and 4.00pm AEST Monday to Friday.