The recall covers two seasonal doorstep decorations, one featuring a pumpkin hat and another wearing a witch hat with grey hair. According to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), both products present a health risk because their internal sand may be contaminated with asbestos, a substance banned because of the risks associated with exposure even at low levels.
The products were sold under the Primark brand and originated in China. They have now been withdrawn from the market and recalled from customers, with specific handling instructions issued for anyone who still has one at home.
Which Primark Halloween Decorations Are Affected
The recall applies to two specific gonk decorations rather than Primark’s wider Halloween range. The witch-themed model is identified as 991174794, with barcode 212047125, while the pumpkin version carries model number 991179148 and barcode 212080261.
According to the OPSS product recall notice, the items fall within the category of seasonal decorative homeware and gardenware. The notice states that the sand sealed inside the decorations “may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos”.
The regulator also says the products do not meet the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. Local Authority Trading Standards is listed as the notifier, while Primark has withdrawn the affected products from sale and recalled them from end users.
The OPSS advises owners to stop using the decorations immediately and place them somewhere secure and out of the reach of children. The same warning was reported by the Press Association, which said the two doorstep decorations were being recalled because of the possible contamination of their internal filling. No risk level is specified in the official recall notice, although the stated risk type is a health risk.
What Customers Should Do With the Recalled Gonks
Customers whose decoration remains undamaged are advised to place it inside a heavy-duty plastic bag, seal the bag securely with double tape, clearly label it and keep it in a secure location away from children.
Different instructions apply if the product has been damaged and the filling is accessible. According to the OPSS, affected areas should be cleaned using wet cloths to avoid generating dust, while anyone carrying out the cleaning should wear gloves and a mask.
The filling, the product itself and any gloves, masks or cloths used during cleaning should then be double-bagged. Children and other people should be kept away from places where the sand has been present until those areas have been cleaned.
Customers can take the recalled decoration to their nearest Primark store for a full refund, and no receipt is required. Anyone unable to return the product is advised to contact their local authority, or consult its website, for guidance on the safe disposal of asbestos in their area. Primark customers seeking further information can also contact the retailer or consult the GOV.UK guidance covering asbestos in consumer products.
