As Halloween approaches, Australian consumers have been urged to immediately stop using certain Halloween-themed products sold at Coles and The Reject Shop due to serious safety concerns. These popular items, including an LED bouncing ball and a novelty candle, present significant risks to children, with the potential for choking, burns, or even death.
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a recall, triggering widespread alerts as October 31 draws near. With Halloween just around the corner, parents are being reminded to check their homes for these potentially dangerous decorations. The recalled products could pose a direct threat to children’s safety if not properly handled or returned.
Coles LED Bouncing Ball: A Button Battery Danger
One of the recalled items is a Halloween LED light-up bouncing ball, sold at Coles between October 1 and 9, 2025. According to the ACCC, this product fails to meet safety standards for items containing button or coin batteries. The ball’s packaging lacks crucial safety warnings, particularly about the risks posed by these small batteries. Children who swallow or insert button batteries are at risk of severe internal burns or choking, with fatal consequences possible within as little as two hours of ingestion.
The ACCC’s warning is a reminder of the deadly potential of button batteries, which have been linked to multiple child fatalities in Australia. Experts stress that parents should immediately remove these toys from their homes and contact the product manufacturer, RMS International, for the necessary safety labels. Failure to act promptly could lead to life-threatening incidents, making awareness and vigilance paramount.
The Reject Shop Candle: A Fire Hazard
A second recall concerns a Halloween-themed candle from The Reject Shop. The 2-wick novelty candle, shaped like a skeleton inside a coffin, was sold nationally from September 2 to October 8, 2025. The ACCC has identified a serious design flaw: the candle’s wicks are positioned too close to the container’s edge. This configuration increases the risk of the container overheating, cracking, and potentially igniting, creating a fire hazard.
The risk is not merely theoretical. According to the ACCC, incidents have already occurred, underlining the importance of returning the candle for a full refund. Customers can return the product to any Reject Shop store without needing proof of purchase, ensuring a straightforward remedy for those affected. The recall is part of broader efforts to prevent fires and injuries caused by faulty home décor items.
Immediate Action Required
Consumers who purchased these items are urged to act quickly. For the bouncing ball, return the product to the manufacturer for updated safety information. For the candle, simply return it to the store for a refund. In the case of suspected button battery ingestion, parents should seek immediate medical help by calling Triple Zero (000) or the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26. With Halloween just days away, the urgency of these safety concerns cannot be overstated.
