'How to keep my baby safe?': Parents are being warned these deadly baby dummy holders could kill their children

Officers from West Sussex Trading Standards bought nine types of holder from market place sites and sent them for safety testing.

All failed the tests, posing either a serious risk of strangulation or choking.

This was because of their excessively long chords which meant a baby could potentially wrap it around their neck and suffocate.

The beads on some of the chords also shattered easily and the small pieces could choke a young child.

Peter Aston, West Sussex Trading Standards Team manager, said: ‘Using any one of these holders could have had fatal consequences and as a result, we are taking this investigation incredibly seriously.’

The safety standard for these products sets out a maximum chord length of 220mm. Those holders that failed had chord lengths up to 325mm posing a serious strangulation risk.

Customers are being urged to only buy recognised brands from known UK sellers.

Online market place sites are now in the process of de-listing the items, Mr Aston added.

Investigators believe the products are coming directly from manufacturers in China.

However, trading standards teams are investigating whether there are any UK outlets physically selling the items.

Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for environment, said: ‘These are worrying results and the consequences of using any one of these holders could have been devastating. I would urge residents to only buy from trusted, recognised brands when purchasing products online.’

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Anyone who thinks they have purchased an unsafe product, should contact trading standards at www.westsussex.gov.uk/tsreport or via Citizens Advice on 03454 04 05 06.

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