What was recalled
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a recall for specific dive sticks manufactured by Joyin under its Sloosh brand. This action addresses a safety violation involving products that were sold as part of the Sloosh water toys line, specifically model number 40041. The affected items are not standalone products but are included within larger packages of Sloosh water toys. Each package contains thirty pieces in total, and among these thirty items, five are dive sticks. It is important to note that this recall applies exclusively to the dive sticks found within these specific packages; the remaining twenty-five water toys included in the same box are safe for continued use.
The recalled dive sticks themselves are constructed from hard plastic and feature a simple, cylinder-shaped design. Each stick measures approximately seven inches in length with a diameter of one inch or less. They are available in various colors to appeal to children but share identical structural characteristics that led to their removal from the market. These sticks were distributed as part of Sloosh water toys packages sold prior to October 23, 2025. If you purchased these items after this date, they likely contain redesigned sticks that comply with current federal safety regulations and are not subject to this recall.
To determine if your product is part of this recall, you must examine both the packaging and the sticks themselves. The model number 40041 is printed on the back of the Sloosh water toys box, located directly next to the barcode. Additionally, Joyin’s name and specific tracking information are printed on the top end of one of the dive sticks. If your package matches these details and was purchased before the October 23, 2025 cutoff, it is included in this recall. Joyin is taking proactive steps to ensure that consumers who own these hazardous items can safely dispose of them and receive compliant replacements.
This recall highlights the importance of verifying product models, especially for toys involving water and physical activity. By identifying the exact model number and purchase date, you can quickly ascertain whether your family’s playset is affected. The clear labeling on the box and the sticks themselves allows for easy identification, ensuring that no child continues to use a product that poses a serious impalement risk.
The hazard, explained
At the core of this recall is a fundamental conflict between how these dive sticks are made and what federal safety standards require. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has determined that the Sloosh dive sticks violate the federal ban on dive sticks because they exceed the maximum allowable compress limit. In plain terms, this means the plastic material used to construct the sticks is too rigid and lacks the necessary flexibility to bend safely under pressure. Dive sticks are designed to be submerged in water, where divers might accidentally land on them or step on them. For a product to be safe in this context, it must have enough "give" to absorb impact without snapping back violently or remaining perfectly straight and unyielding. Because these specific sticks are made of hard plastic that does not compress adequately, they retain their rigid, spear-like shape even when force is applied.
This lack of flexibility creates a severe impalement hazard. When a child falls into shallow water or lands on one of these sticks, the rigid structure cannot bend to distribute the force. Instead, it acts like a stationary pole. The energy from the fall is concentrated entirely at the point of contact, turning the stick into a piercing weapon. This can result in serious piercing injuries, particularly if the child falls backward onto the stick or if the stick shifts position during impact. The danger is not just about bruising; it is about penetration. The hard plastic tips and shafts can easily break the skin and underlying tissue, leading to wounds that require medical intervention.
There is also a significant risk of facial and eye injuries. When children attempt to retrieve these sticks from underwater, they often reach down into the murky depths where visibility is poor. Because the sticks are rigid and do not move or float away easily, a child’s face or eyes may collide directly with the end of the stick while trying to grasp it. The CPSC notes that such impacts can cause serious damage to sensitive areas like the eyes and face. Unlike flexible toys that might bend away upon contact, these hard plastic sticks remain fixed in place, offering no warning or cushioning before impact.
To understand why this matters, it helps to look at the broader context of dive stick safety. Federal regulations were established precisely because rigid diving toys have historically caused hundreds of injuries, many involving children. The ban exists to ensure that any toy marketed for underwater play can safely withstand accidental impacts without becoming a projectile or a piercing object. By exceeding the compress limit, these Joyin dive sticks fail this basic safety test. They look like harmless pool accessories on the surface, but their physical properties make them dangerous in the dynamic environment of water play, where slips, falls, and unexpected movements are common.
Who is most at risk
The primary group at serious risk in this recall consists of children who play with the recalled Sloosh dive sticks in shallow water environments, such as home pools, wading pools, or calm beach areas. The hazard is not merely about slipping; it is about the specific mechanics of how these toys are used and how they fail. Children are particularly vulnerable because their play patterns often involve running, jumping, or diving headfirst into water that may be too shallow to safely absorb the impact of a fall. When a child lands on one of these dive sticks, the force of their body weight is concentrated onto the rigid, hard plastic cylinder. Because the recalled sticks exceed the federal compress limit, they do not bend or break away under pressure. Instead, they remain rigid enough to act like a spear, piercing through skin and potentially causing deep impalement injuries to the face, eyes, torso, or limbs. This is especially dangerous for younger children who may lack the coordination to avoid landing directly on the toy or the physical strength to push it aside once they are on top of it.
Another significant at-risk group includes anyone attempting to retrieve these sticks while underwater. The recall notice specifically highlights that facial and eye injuries are a common outcome when users try to grab the sticks from below. In this scenario, a child or adult might be looking up toward the surface, unaware that a rigid stick is floating directly above them. If they reach up to catch it, or if the stick falls onto their face during retrieval, the risk of severe eye injury or facial laceration increases dramatically. This dynamic is particularly perilous for children who are still developing their spatial awareness and swimming skills, as they may panic or move erratically when surprised by an object hitting their face.
While the recall targets all users of model 40041, the severity of potential injury is disproportionately high for smaller bodies. A rigid plastic stick that might cause a bruise on an adult’s shoulder could penetrate the thinner skin and bone structure of a child’s eye socket or cheekbone. Furthermore, because these sticks are sold in packages of thirty pieces with five being dive sticks, they are often distributed among multiple children during group play. This increases the likelihood of collisions and accidental contact. It is important to note that the risk extends beyond just the diver; bystanders nearby can also be struck by a stick that has been launched or shifted during play. Therefore, the entire household or group using the Sloosh water toys package prior to October 23, 2025, should consider themselves part of the at-risk population until the sticks are removed and disposed of.
How to tell if you have the recalled item
Before you take any action, it is important to confirm exactly which product is involved in this recall. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has identified a very specific set of items under the brand name "Sloosh," manufactured by Joyin. Because these toys are often sold as part of larger bundles or multipacks, it can be easy to overlook the specific dive sticks that pose a risk. To ensure you do not mistakenly dispose of safe products or, worse, continue using unsafe ones, please follow this detailed guide to identify the recalled items.
First, look for the main packaging. The recall applies specifically to "Sloosh water toys" packages. These are typically boxes containing 30 pieces of various pool diving toys. Inside this box, you will find five dive sticks among the other assorted items. It is crucial to understand that while the entire package is sold together, the recall only targets the dive sticks themselves. If your package contains other Sloosh water toys that are not dive sticks, those specific items are safe to keep and use. You can continue enjoying the rest of the set, but the five cylindrical sticks must be addressed immediately.
To confirm you have the correct model, you need to check for specific physical characteristics and printed identifiers. The recalled dive sticks are made of hard plastic and are cylinder-shaped. Each stick measures approximately 7 inches in length and has a diameter of about 1 inch or less. They come in various colors, so color alone is not a reliable way to identify the hazard. However, you must look for the model number printed directly on the product. The number "40041" is printed on the top end of one dive stick, alongside Joyin's name and tracking information. This model number is the definitive identifier for the recalled units.
You should also check the box where these sticks were originally packaged. The model number 40041 is printed on the back of the Sloosh water toys box, located right next to the barcode. If you no longer have the original box, rely on the code printed on the stick itself. Additionally, verify the purchase date. This recall only covers Sloosh water toys containing these specific dive sticks that were sold prior to October 23, 2025. If you purchased your set after this date, it likely contains redesigned, compliant sticks, but checking the model number remains the safest way to be certain.
- Brand: Sloosh
- Manufacturer: Joyin
- Model Number: 40041 (found on the box next to the barcode and on the top end of the stick)
- Product Description: Hard plastic, cylinder-shaped dive sticks, approx. 7 inches long by 1 inch or less in diameter
- Packaging: Sold in boxes of 30 Sloosh water toys, including five dive sticks
- Date Range: Sold prior to October 23, 2025
If your item matches all these details—specifically the model number 40041 and the pre-October 2025 sale date—you have a recalled item. Do not hesitate; stop using it immediately and remove it from children's reach.
What to do — step by step
If you have purchased a Sloosh water toy set containing dive sticks prior to October 23, 2025, the first and most critical action you must take is to immediately stop using the product. This is not a situation where you can monitor the item for occasional use; the risk of serious injury is too significant. The recalled dive sticks violate federal safety regulations because they exceed the required compress limit, which transforms them from harmless pool toys into dangerous objects capable of causing impalement. Therefore, your immediate priority is to physically remove these items from the reach of any children in your home. Do not leave them lying around on a deck, in a garage, or in a storage bin where curious hands might find them. Treat them as hazardous waste that needs to be securely contained and disposed of.
Once you have safely gathered the dive sticks, you need to dispose of them properly to ensure they cannot be retrieved by anyone else. The manufacturer, Joyin, has established a specific protocol for this disposal process to verify that the dangerous items are no longer in circulation. You must take a clear photograph of the recalled dive sticks after they have been placed in the trash. This step is crucial because it serves as proof of compliance and allows Joyin to track the recall's effectiveness. Without this photo, they cannot confirm that you have removed the hazard from your environment.
After capturing the image, you need to contact Joyin directly via email at support@joyin.com. When you send this email, attach the photograph of the disposed dive sticks in the trash. This communication is the key that unlocks your remedy. Once Joyin receives and verifies your email with the attached proof of disposal, they will ship you a redesigned version of the dive sticks. These new sticks have been engineered to meet federal regulations, meaning they no longer pose the same impalement risk. The company has committed to sending these safe replacements to consumers who follow this exact procedure.
Please remember that while you are disposing of the dive sticks, the rest of the items in your Sloosh water toys package remain safe to use. Only the five dive sticks within the set are subject to this recall. You do not need to discard the entire toy set or lose the other fun components you may have enjoyed. By following these steps—stopping use, removing from children, photographing disposal, emailing Joyin, and receiving your replacement—you ensure your family’s safety while still being able to enjoy water play with compliant products.
Your refund, repair, or replacement options
If you have been using the recalled Sloosh dive sticks, the good news is that Joyin has established a clear and straightforward remedy to ensure your family’s safety without costing you anything out of pocket. The company is not asking you to simply throw the dangerous items away and be done with it; instead, they are offering a free replacement. Specifically, consumers will receive redesigned dive sticks that have been engineered to meet federal regulations. This redesign addresses the specific compliance failure identified in this recall, ensuring that the new products no longer exceed the compress limit that makes the original sticks hazardous. By providing updated equipment rather than just a refund, Joyin allows you to continue enjoying your water toys with confidence, knowing the impalement risk has been mitigated.
To receive these replacement sticks, you must follow a specific verification process designed to prevent fraud and ensure that only legitimate recall participants are served. The first step is to dispose of the recalled dive sticks immediately. Do not donate them, sell them, or try to repair them yourself. Once you have discarded the items, you are required to take a clear photograph of the disposed dive sticks while they are in the trash. This visual proof serves as your receipt for the recall program. You will then need to email this photo directly to Joyin at support@joyin.com.
There is no mention of an online portal or a mailed form in the current records, so email is your primary channel for initiating this process. When you send your email, please ensure the attachment is clear and that the dive sticks are identifiable as part of the recalled batch if possible, though the photo of them in the trash is the key requirement stated by the agency. Once Joyin receives your email and verifies the disposal, they will ship the redesigned, compliant dive sticks to you at no charge. It is important to note that this remedy applies specifically to the dive sticks with model number 40041 contained in the Sloosh water toys sold prior to October 23, 2025.
Please remember that you do not need to return the other items included in the Sloosh water toys package. The recall is limited strictly to the five dive sticks within each package. You can safely continue using the remaining thirty pieces of water toys for your pool or beach activities. If you have any questions about the process or need further assistance beyond what is outlined here, your first point of contact should remain Joyin at the support email address provided above, as no other customer service numbers or addresses are listed in the official CPSC notice.
What can happen if you ignore it
It is completely understandable why you might be tempted to keep the dive sticks around. They are colorful, they were fun for a while, and throwing them away feels like a waste of money, especially since they are packaged inside a larger set of water toys that are still safe to use. However, ignoring this recall is not just about losing a few dollars; it is about accepting a significant, unnecessary risk to the physical safety of the children in your home or care.
The core danger here is structural failure. These specific Sloosh dive sticks were manufactured without meeting the federal compress limit requirements designed specifically for dive sticks. In plain terms, this means the plastic construction is not strong enough to withstand the pressure a child puts on them when diving underwater. When a child pushes down on a stick during play, or when they are submerged in water, the stick can suddenly collapse or shatter. This is not a minor malfunction; it turns a soft toy into a rigid, sharp projectile or a jagged spear tip at the exact moment of impact.
The most immediate and severe consequence of ignoring this warning is the risk of serious impalement injuries. If a child falls onto the stick in shallow water, or if they land on it after diving, the broken plastic can pierce their skin with considerable force. Because these sticks are hard plastic and cylinder-shaped, the ends can become dangerously sharp points upon failure. This creates a high risk for deep puncture wounds that may require stitches, surgery, or even hospitalization to treat properly. The injuries are not limited to limbs; if a child falls forward onto the stick, facial injuries are possible.
Eye injuries are another critical concern that cannot be overstated. Children often attempt to retrieve these sticks while underwater, looking directly at them as they reach for the toy. If the stick breaks during this retrieval process, the resulting shards or sharp ends can strike the face and eyes directly. Eye trauma from plastic fragments can lead to permanent vision loss or other lifelong complications. This is a hazard that does not heal on its own and cannot be treated with simple first aid.
Beyond the immediate physical trauma, there are secondary risks. A deep puncture wound is highly susceptible to infection, especially in pool water or lakes where bacteria are prevalent. Treating these infections can lead to prolonged pain, additional medical visits, and a longer recovery time for your child. Furthermore, the stress of such an accident on your family—rushing to the emergency room, dealing with medical bills, and managing the emotional trauma of seeing a child hurt—is a heavy burden that could have been entirely avoided by following the simple disposal instructions.
Please do not wait for an injury to occur before acting. The federal government has deemed these items unsafe because the likelihood of serious harm is too high to ignore. By continuing to use them, you are gambling with your child’s safety for the sake of convenience. The remedy provided by Joyin is straightforward and free, so there is no reason to take this risk. Dispose of the old sticks immediately and switch to the redesigned, safe versions once they arrive.
Staying safe: broader tips
While this specific recall addresses a particular violation of federal safety standards regarding dive sticks, the incident serves as a timely reminder that water play equipment requires careful scrutiny before it ever reaches the poolside. The hazard described—impalement from hard plastic objects in shallow water—is not unique to one brand or model. It is a category-wide risk that often goes unnoticed until a serious injury occurs. To protect your family, you should adopt a proactive approach to evaluating any new water toy, particularly those designed for underwater retrieval or diving activities.
First and foremost, always verify that toys intended for water use meet current federal safety regulations. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) maintains an online database of recalls where you can search by product type or manufacturer. Before purchasing any new dive sticks, snorkeling gear, or heavy underwater weights, take a moment to check if the specific model has been flagged for safety violations. Look for products that explicitly state compliance with the federal ban on dive sticks, which prohibits items that exceed certain compressibility limits. If a product description lacks clear safety certifications or seems vague about its materials, it is wise to choose an alternative from a reputable manufacturer who prioritizes regulatory compliance.
When you do have water toys in your home, establish clear rules for their use based on the depth of the water and the age of the children. Dive sticks and similar hard plastic objects should never be used in shallow pools or wading areas where a child could land on them. Educate your children that these items are tools for deep-water play only, and that they must be handled with care to avoid piercing injuries. Even in deeper water, encourage supervised use and teach children how to safely retrieve items without diving headfirst into the toy. Consider using softer, more flexible alternatives for younger children or in mixed-depth environments.
Additionally, regularly inspect your existing water toys for signs of wear, damage, or degradation. Hard plastic can become brittle over time, especially with exposure to chlorine and sunlight, increasing the risk of sharp edges or breakage. Dispose of any damaged items immediately, regardless of their age or brand. By staying informed through official CPSC alerts and practicing vigilant supervision, you can help ensure that water play remains a fun and safe experience for your family.