Product safety recall

Two major high street retailers recall Miss Summer children’s clothing for dangerous draw cords that can cause strangulation.

Strangulation risk prompts recall of Miss Summer range Next Matalan

Next and Matalan have recalled items from the Miss Summer range after tests found decorative draw cords longer than allowed in some pieces. The affected items were sold in stores and online between April 11 and June 2. The cords, when worn, can become entangled and tighten around a child's neck, creating a risk of strangulation or choking. The Office for Product Safety and Standards confirms the recall and notes the dangers.

Customers are asked to stop using the affected items immediately and return them to the retailer for a full refund. Next asks customers to keep the item away from children and follow the return process, while Matalan provides a Royal Mail returns link for the process. The items have been removed from both retailers' websites, with error messages appearing when trying to click the purchase links. The recall highlights how clothing design can endanger children and how quickly retailers must act when safety issues arise.

The recall shows retailers acting quickly when safety signals appear, a necessary move in a crowded fashion market. It also underscores ongoing questions about testing standards for children’s wear and the pace of supplier oversight. In the long run, such alerts can erode consumer trust if they feel risk signals were missed, but they can also build credibility when firms act decisively. Regulators may push for stronger checks on draw cords and other features that could pose harm to young wearers. The balance between style and safety remains a constant tension for brands serving families.

Highlights

Safety must lead fashion when the stakes involve children