Australia’s Halloween Scare: Coles and Reject Shop Recall Unsafe Decorations
▼ Summary
– The ACCC issued urgent recalls for Halloween products from Coles and The Reject Shop due to serious safety hazards.
– A light-up bouncing ball was recalled for lacking required battery warnings, posing ingestion and burn risks to children.
– A skeleton candle was recalled for its design creating a fire hazard through potential overheating or cracking.
– A tombstone decoration was recalled for insecure battery compartments and missing safety labeling.
– These recalls highlight broader issues with seasonal products bypassing safety compliance for quick market entry.
Halloween is supposed to bring a bit of harmless fright, not a trip to the emergency room. Yet this week, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued urgent recalls for several Halloween-themed products sold through Coles and The Reject Shop, citing serious safety risks involving choking and fire.
The recall covers three main products: a light-up bouncing ball, a novelty skeleton candle, and a small LED tombstone decoration. All were sold nationwide, and all have now been pulled from shelves. Each item, the ACCC warns, presents a “serious hazard” to children, either from unsecured button batteries or fire risk linked to poor design.
According to 7News, the timing couldn’t be worse. With costumes, props, and party items flying off shelves ahead of October 31, many of these products are already in Australian homes. Parents are being urged to check labels and stop using affected products immediately.
The Items at Risk
The most alarming recall involves an LED light-up bouncing ball sold by Coles (SKU 1327684). The toy contains button batteries but lacked the mandatory safety warnings required under Australian Consumer Law. These coin-sized batteries can cause severe internal burns within hours if swallowed. The ACCC said the ball’s packaging failed to inform parents of what to do in case of ingestion, an omission that can turn deadly in minutes.
At The Reject Shop, a Halloween candle shaped like a skeleton in a coffin (SKU 30149720) has also been recalled. Its twin-wick design sits too close to the edge of the container, increasing the likelihood of overheating or cracking. In testing, the candle was found to pose a real fire hazard. Shoppers who bought it between early September and mid-October can return it for a full refund, no proof of purchase needed.
A third item, a battery-powered tombstone decoration, was also listed for recall due to an insecure battery compartment and missing safety labeling. Though less widely distributed, it highlights a broader concern around novelty items that use small lithium batteries without child-safe casing.
The News.com.au report added that these items could have been sold online or through secondary channels, meaning many households may still have them on display.
The Bigger Message for Retailers and Marketers
Beyond the immediate recall, the episode reflects a growing problem: festive merchandise that skirts safety compliance in the rush to meet seasonal demand. Retailers often source such products through global suppliers with little oversight of battery compartment design or heat testing for candles.
For digital marketers and e-commerce operators, this is a reminder that compliance and trust are part of brand equity. Any product that carries a child-related risk, especially those powered by coin batteries, should undergo visible safety certification and transparent labeling before being promoted online. The ACCC has made clear that ignorance is no defense when consumer safety is at stake.
As Halloween approaches, families are being urged to inspect any light-up or battery-operated decorations already purchased. Anyone who suspects they have a recalled item should remove it from use and contact the supplier for instructions. In the case of swallowed button batteries, the ACCC advises calling emergency services immediately (000 in Australia) and contacting the Poisons Information Centre at 13 11 26.
The message is simple: seasonal fun shouldn’t come with hidden risks. Safety checks matter as much as the costumes.
