Argyll and Bute Council’s trading standards officers have issued a warning to parents of young children about cartoon character bobble hats which have raised safety fears.

The colourful hats are furry and are styled to look like trademarked Hello Kitty, Minions from Despicable Me, Angry Birds and other animal characters.  They are also labelled made in China.

The hats’ design has two tiers, one which is a loop. One tier goes through the other’s loop and they have bobbles on the end. Because of this design there is no mechanism for the tiers to disconnect meaning there is potential for strangulation.

The hats failed a safety test carried out by trading standards officers with Nottinghamshire County who have alerted councils throughout the UK.

Argyll and Bute trading standards officer investigated immediately and a recall has now been issued on the furry hats after some outlets were found to be selling them.

The council’s policy lead for protective services, Councillor David Kinniburgh, said, “ I am delighted that our trading standards officers have reacted to this alert so quickly. Safety for children is paramount and our trading standards officers will do everything possible to have them removed from sale in Argyll and Bute.

“The public can help, too, by reporting any of the hats they see on sale or, if they have recently purchased a similar hat and have concerns, to return it to the shop where it was purchased.  The aim is to remove these potentially dangerous hats from being bought, sold or worn anywhere and to avoid any child being put at risk.”

If you see one of these hats for sale please contact Argyll and Bute Council trading standards on  01546 605519.