Urgent Recall: Helly Hansen Lifejackets May Fail During Use

Helly Hansen has issued an urgent recall of several lifejacket models sold across Ireland due to a drowning risk. The affected products may fail during use because of a manufacturing defect, potentially putting wearers in serious danger on the water.

The recall affects approximately 394 lifejackets sold through retailers across the Republic of Ireland, including several Cork stockists. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has confirmed the drowning risk associated with these products.

The affected models include the Navigare Comfort and Navigare Scan ranges in sizes from 30kg to 90+kg, as well as the Junior Safe+ (20/35kg) and Kid Safe+ (10/25kg) models. Consumers can identify affected products by checking the PO numbers on the waist sew-in label.

The specific PO numbers subject to recall are: 275063, 275857, 286301 (Navigare Comfort); 275064, 275858, 279872, 286302 (Navigare Scan); 275095, 275878, 279884 (Junior Safe+); and 279883, 286310 (Kid Safe+).

Cork retailers who sold the affected lifejackets include Great Outdoors Ltd, Kinsale Sports Store, and Portwest Retail Ltd. Other stockists across Ireland include Union Chandlery Ltd, Central Sports, Call Of The Wild, Wet N' Wild, and numerous outdoor sports retailers.

Consumers who own these lifejackets should immediately stop using them. Helly Hansen has instructed customers to destroy the products following specific instructions in the Recall Notice. The company is offering either a full refund of the purchase price or a voucher for the same amount.

To arrange a return or for more information, customers can email recall@hellyhansen.com or use the customer service contact form on the Helly Hansen website. The company can also be reached by phone at (+353) (0)148 77 039.

This recall particularly affects families with children who use the Junior Safe+ and Kid Safe+ models, as well as adult water sports enthusiasts. With the summer season in full swing, checking your lifejackets against this recall notice is essential for water safety.

Anyone planning water activities should verify their safety equipment immediately. The manufacturing issue could cause the lifejacket to fail when most needed, creating a potentially fatal situation in the water.