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About bean bags
Bean bags are cushions or similar items consisting of a bag or cover enclosing a filling of small pellets such as polystyrene beads or other similar synthetic material. The bag has an opening so the beads can be accessed.
Bean bags include these items with an opening where the filling is accessed or can escape:
- aqua bean bags for swimming pools
- chairs
- cushions
- pillows
- lounges
- footstools
- futon mattresses
- novelty cushions for children
- nursing and therapeutic pillows and cushions
- pet beds
- stable tables.
Risks and injuries from the product
Children are at risk of serious injuries or death if they use a damaged bean bag. They’re also at risk if the bean bag doesn’t have a child resistant closure.
In these cases, children can suffer:
- choking, particularly those under 3 years old, if they inhale the polystyrene beads used in bean bags
- suffocation, if they crawl inside a bean bag cover and their breathing is restricted by the bag and its contents.
Soft and padded surfaces can prevent babies and toddlers who roll over from being able to turn or lift their face to breathe freely. The risk is even greater as babies on a sleeping bag are in an inclined position. This is an unsafe position for babies to sleep in.
For information on unsafe positions and surfaces, see products unsafe for baby to sleep in.
Things to look for when buying the product
Children are at risk of serious injury or death if they use a damaged bean bag, or a bean bag without a child resistant closure and they can access the filling.
For this reason, there’s a mandatory standard that suppliers and retailers must comply with.
Only buy bean bags that comply with the bean bags mandatory standard.
The mandatory standard does not cover items that don’t have any openings through which the filling can escape or be accessed.
- There are mandatory safety warnings. They should be attached securely to, or stamped on, the bean bag or package.
- Bean bag zip or fastener is child resistant. Check that it locks into place and doesn’t have a tab or handle that a child can use to open the bag or cover.
- Bean bag has sturdy seams. This makes the bean bag difficult for a pet or child to tear open and stop beads from leaking out.
How to use the product safely
- Keep beans, bag covers and bean bag refills out of reach of children.