Ikea recalls bat cape in precautionary measure

SINGAPORE — Ikea is recalling its Lattjo Bat cape product and has urged customers to stop children from playing with it, the furniture store said in a statement on Wednesday (April 6).

The global recall follows three separate cases reported in Canada, Switzerland and Austria where the children had received marks and scratches on the neck while using the product. The cape got stuck and didn’t detach easily enough from the neck of the children.

There have been no reported injuries that required medical treatment, but “due to the risk of strangulation or injuries to the neck”, the company has decided to take precautionary measures and is recalling the product, it said in the statement.

The Swedish furniture company has urged customers who have the Lattjo Bat cape to bring it to any Ikea store for a full refund, and a receipt will not be required. “At Ikea, we have zero tolerance regarding child safety and we cannot accept that there is a risk of injury while playing,” said Business Area Manager at Children’s Ikea, Ms Cindy Andersen. She added that new requirements will be put in place in Ikea’s future products to ensure children’s safety.

The cape had been sold in Singapore since November 2015, and all affected products have been removed from the shelves at both its Alexandra Road and Tampines North branches.