What was recalled
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced a significant recall expansion involving specific "Sloosh" brand dive sticks manufactured by Joyin. This action addresses products that were part of previously recalled water toy sets, indicating that the issue is not isolated to a single batch but extends across multiple model numbers and distribution channels. The core of this recall focuses on hard plastic, cylinder-shaped dive sticks measuring approximately 7 inches in length with a diameter of 1 inch or less. These items are not sold as standalone products in all cases; rather, they are often contained within larger packages of Sloosh water toys, which can make identification slightly more complex for consumers who may have opened the main package but kept the individual sticks.
The recall specifically targets three distinct model numbers: 40041, 40003, and 16154. It is crucial to check your inventory carefully because these models were sold in different configurations and at different times. Model 40041 is found in packages containing 30 pieces of Sloosh water toys, which includes five dive sticks among the other items. This specific model was sold prior to October 23, 2025. If you purchased a large multi-piece pool toy set before this date, there is a strong possibility it contains one of these affected sticks. Model 40003 is similar but comes in a package of 18 pieces, including four dive sticks. This model was sold prior to December 31, 2025. Both models 40041 and 40003 are packaged in boxes alongside other pool diving toys, meaning the hazardous item is hidden within a larger assortment of safe products.
Additionally, there is a separate recall for model 16154, which differs in its packaging. This model consists of a set of eight dive sticks sold without any additional pieces. These sticks are packaged in a polybag rather than a box. Like the other models, they were sold prior to December 31, 2025. To confirm if you have a recalled item, look for the model number printed on the back of the box or polybag next to the barcode, as well as on top of one end of the dive stick itself. The sticks will also feature Joyin's name and tracking information. The dive sticks come in various colors, so color alone cannot be used to rule them out. While you can continue to use the other non-recalled items in the Sloosh water toys packages, the specific dive sticks identified above must be treated as unsafe and removed from your home immediately.
The hazard, explained
To understand why the CPSC and Joyin have issued this recall, it is important to look closely at what physically goes wrong with these specific dive sticks. The core issue lies in a violation of the federal dive sticks ban, specifically regarding the "compress limit." Dive sticks are designed to be flexible enough that if a child falls on them or lands directly on top of one, the stick will bend away from the body rather than remaining rigid. However, the recalled Sloosh dive sticks exceed this safety threshold for compressibility. This means they are too hard and stiff. When significant weight is applied to them—such as the full force of a child’s body hitting the water or landing on the stick—they do not yield. Instead of bending, they act like rigid spears.
This rigidity creates two distinct and serious mechanisms for injury. The first occurs in shallow water scenarios. If a child falls onto or lands directly on one of these sticks, the lack of flexibility means the stick cannot absorb the impact by bending. Consequently, the stick remains upright and rigid against the body. This can lead to impalement, where the hard plastic pierces the skin and underlying tissue. Because the sticks are made of hard plastic and are approximately seven inches long with a diameter of one inch or less, they present a significant piercing hazard that can result in deep, serious wounds.
The second mechanism involves facial and eye injuries during retrieval attempts. Even if the stick does not pierce the skin from above, its rigid structure poses a threat when children are underwater trying to grab it. In the confined space of shallow water or a pool, a child’s face is often close to the object they are reaching for. If a child slips or loses their balance while attempting to retrieve a stick that will not bend under pressure, the rigid end can strike directly into the face or eyes. These types of impacts can cause severe lacerations, bruising, or even permanent eye damage.
It is crucial to note that this hazard is not theoretical; it is a direct result of the material and design failing to meet safety standards for flexibility. While dive sticks are generally popular water toys, their safety relies entirely on their ability to flex under pressure. When that flexibility is compromised, the toy transforms from a playful item into a potential weapon. The recall highlights that even though these items come in colorful, harmless-looking packages, the physical properties of the plastic used in models 40041, 40003, and 16154 make them dangerous for use by children, particularly in environments where falling or close-proximity play is common. Understanding this mechanical failure helps explain why immediate removal from use is necessary, as no amount of supervision can fully mitigate the risk of a rigid object piercing soft tissue during high-energy water play.
Who is most at risk
While this recall applies to any household that purchased specific Joyin Sloosh water toys between late 2024 and late 2025, the individuals most vulnerable to serious injury are children. The primary danger arises from the specific way these dive sticks interact with common play environments, particularly shallow pools, hot tubs, or even deep bathtubs where children might be diving or jumping. When a child falls backward or lands on one of these hard plastic sticks, the impact force can drive the rigid end into soft tissue with significant velocity. Because the recalled models 40041, 40003, and 16154 exceed the federal compress limit, they do not collapse upon impact as safer, compliant toys are designed to do. Instead, they remain solid and unyielding, turning a playful moment into a potential medical emergency involving deep lacerations or impalement.
Children are at heightened risk not only from falling on the sticks but also during active retrieval. The recall notice highlights that facial and eye injuries can occur when children attempt to retrieve these items while submerged underwater. Young swimmers often dive blindly or reach for colorful objects without fully assessing their surroundings. If a stick is lying on the pool floor, a child swimming directly toward it may impale themselves on the end before they even see it. Furthermore, because these sticks are made of hard plastic and are approximately seven inches long, they present a persistent hazard in any water-based play area where they might be kicked, floated to the surface unexpectedly, or left lying around after playtime.
Elderly individuals or those with mobility issues should also exercise extreme caution if they encounter these products. While less likely to be diving, an older adult slipping on a wet pool deck and landing on a discarded dive stick could suffer severe puncture wounds or fractures. The risk is compounded by the fact that these sticks are often sold in multi-packs (such as the set of eight for model 16154) or mixed within larger toy sets, increasing the likelihood that multiple hazardous items are present in a single household. Parents and caregivers must recognize that the color variety of these sticks might make them appealing to young children, inadvertently encouraging risky play behaviors around water edges where falls are more common.
- Children aged 3–10: Most likely to dive or jump into shallow water where impalement occurs.
- Swimmers with limited depth perception: Those who cannot see the stick clearly underwater are at risk of direct impact injuries.
- Households with mixed-age play: Families where older children might leave sticks lying around for younger siblings to encounter.
How to tell if you have the recalled item
Identifying whether your water toys are part of this specific recall requires a careful look at both the packaging and the individual dive sticks themselves. The core issue involves Sloosh brand dive sticks manufactured by Joyin, but because these items are often sold as part of larger sets, you need to check multiple locations for verification. Start by finding the original box or polybag. If your set is Model 40041 or Model 40003, look at the back of the box near the barcode; the model number will be printed there alongside Joyin’s name and tracking information. For Model 16154, which is sold as a standalone set without other toys, check the polybag above the barcode for this same identification.
Once you have the model number, you can cross-reference it with the specific contents of your package to confirm if the dive sticks inside are affected. If you have Model 40041, your package contains 30 pieces total, including five dive sticks. These particular sticks were sold prior to October 23, 2025. If you possess Model 40003, your package holds 18 pieces, including four dive sticks, and was sold prior to December 31, 2025. Finally, if you have Model 16154, it is a set of eight dive sticks only, with no other items included, and was also sold prior to December 31, 2025.
You can also identify the recalled sticks by their physical description. The affected dive sticks are made of hard plastic and are cylinder-shaped. They come in various colors, so color alone is not a reliable identifier. However, the dimensions are consistent across all recalled units: each stick measures approximately 7 inches in length and has a diameter of about 1 inch or less. To be absolutely sure, look at the top end of one of the dive sticks; the model number, Joyin’s name, and tracking information should be printed directly on the plastic there as well.
If you cannot find the model number on the packaging because it has been discarded, examine the sticks themselves. The identification marks are located on the top of one end of the stick. Remember that consumers can continue to use any other non-recalled items contained in the Sloosh water toys package; this recall applies strictly to the dive sticks that meet the criteria above. If your items match these model numbers and descriptions, they are part of this expansion and must be disposed of immediately.
What to do — step by step
If you own any of the recalled Joyin Sloosh dive sticks, your immediate priority is simple: stop using them right now. These are not toys that can be safely used with a little caution; they violate federal safety standards for a very specific and serious reason. The sticks exceed the allowable compress limit, which means they are rigid enough to cause impalement injuries if a child falls on them or attempts to retrieve them underwater. Therefore, the first and most critical step is to take all affected dive sticks away from children immediately. Do not leave them lying around in the pool, the backyard, or anywhere else where kids might play. Once you have physically removed the hazard from your home, you should dispose of the sticks properly. The goal here is to ensure they never end up in a landfill where someone else’s child might find and use them. After you have disposed of the recalled dive sticks, you need to document this action to receive your replacement. Joyin has set up a specific process to verify that the unsafe items are gone before sending out new, compliant products. You must take a clear photo of the disposed dive sticks while they are in the trash. This photo serves as proof that you have removed the hazard from your environment. Once you have this image ready, email it directly to Joyin’s support team at support@joyin.com. Be sure to include any relevant details in your email, such as the model numbers found on your packaging (40041, 40003, or 16154) and the date you purchased the item, if you have that information handy. This helps them process your request efficiently. Once Joyin receives your email with the photo confirmation, they will send you redesigned dive sticks that meet current federal regulations. These new sticks are designed to be safe for play, addressing the impalement risk posed by the original hard plastic models. Please note that while you wait for your replacement, you can still use the other items contained in your Sloosh water toys package if you have them. The recall applies specifically to the dive sticks, not the entire set of water toys. However, do not attempt to repair or modify the recalled sticks yourself; they must be disposed of completely. By following these steps—stopping use, disposing safely, documenting with a photo, and emailing Joyin—you ensure your family’s safety and receive a proper replacement without any cost to you.Your refund, repair, or replacement options
If you are one of the consumers affected by this recall, the good news is that Joyin has put a straightforward and consumer-friendly remedy in place to ensure your family’s safety without leaving you out of pocket. The primary option available to you is not a refund, but rather a free replacement. Specifically, Joyin will send you redesigned dive sticks that have been engineered to meet current federal regulations. This approach is designed to address the core issue immediately while allowing you to continue using the rest of your water toy set if you wish. To initiate this process, you do not need to mail back the dangerous items yourself, which reduces the risk of accidental injury during handling or shipping.
The steps to claim this remedy are simple but require a specific verification step. First, you must stop using the recalled dive sticks immediately and take them away from any children in your home. Next, please dispose of the recalled items securely so they cannot be retrieved by anyone else. Once they are safely in the trash, you are required to take a clear photograph of the disposed dive sticks inside the trash bag or container. This photo serves as proof that the hazardous product has been removed from circulation.
After capturing this image, please email it directly to Joyin at support@joyin.com. In your email, you may also wish to include the model number found on the packaging or the stick itself (40041, 40003, or 16154) to help them process your request efficiently. Once Joyin receives and verifies your photo, they will send the redesigned, compliant dive sticks to you at no cost. This ensures that you receive a product that does not exceed the compress limit, thereby eliminating the impalement hazard associated with the original items.
It is important to note that while the dive sticks themselves are being replaced, you are free to continue using the other items contained in the Sloosh water toys package. For example, if you purchased Model 40041 (which contains 30 pieces including five dive sticks) or Model 40003 (which contains 18 pieces including four dive sticks), the remaining pool diving toys are safe to keep and use. Only the specific cylinder-shaped hard plastic sticks measuring approximately seven inches in length are part of this remedy. By following these steps, you help ensure that the recalled products do not pose a risk to other families while securing safe alternatives for your own use.
- Stop Use: Remove all recalled dive sticks from children’s reach immediately.
- Dispose: Throw the sticks away in a secure trash container.
- Document: Take a photo of the disposed sticks in the trash.
- Contact: Email the photo to support@joyin.com to request your free redesigned replacement sticks.
What can happen if you ignore it
It is easy to look at a plastic toy and see just a fun addition to a summer pool party, but ignoring this recall carries significant, real-world risks that extend far beyond a simple product defect. The core issue here is not merely that the dive sticks are "wrong," but that they violate a specific federal ban designed to prevent catastrophic injury. These items exceed the legal compress limit, which transforms them from harmless playthings into dangerous rigid objects capable of causing serious impalement hazards. When you choose to keep using these sticks, you are essentially betting against physics and human reaction time in an environment where both are unpredictable. The danger is most acute in shallow water. Dive sticks are often used for games that involve reaching or diving underwater. In a pool with insufficient depth, a child may fall forward or land awkwardly on the stick while trying to retrieve it. Because the material is hard plastic and the shape is cylindrical with a diameter of one inch or less, it does not bend or break upon impact. Instead, it acts like a rigid spike. The force of a falling body combined with the unyielding nature of the stick can result in deep piercing injuries. These are not superficial scrapes; they are penetrative wounds that can damage underlying tissue, nerves, and even bones. Facial and eye injuries represent another severe consequence of continued use. When children attempt to retrieve these sticks from underwater, their faces are often positioned directly in line with the object’s path. If a stick is knocked upward or if a child dives onto it, the tip can strike the face with significant force. The eyes are particularly vulnerable. A piercing injury to the eye can lead to permanent vision loss, retinal detachment, or other complex medical conditions that require immediate and intensive surgical intervention. Even if the injury does not involve the eye, facial impalements can cause severe lacerations to the nose, cheeks, and mouth, leading to significant scarring and potential long-term cosmetic or functional issues. Furthermore, we must consider the psychological and physical trauma associated with such incidents. A serious impalement event is traumatic for any child, often resulting in fear of water activities that can last for years. For parents and guardians, the stress of managing an emergency room visit for a piercing injury is immense. There is also the risk of infection. Piercing injuries introduce bacteria deep into the tissue, which can lead to serious infections if not treated promptly and correctly by medical professionals. By ignoring this recall, you are not just keeping a toy; you are leaving a preventable hazard in your home, hoping that no one will ever fall on it at the wrong angle, at the wrong speed, or in the wrong spot. The consequences of being wrong are far too severe to gamble with.Staying safe: broader tips
The recall of these dive sticks highlights a critical lesson about water safety that extends far beyond this specific product. When children play in or around pools, lakes, or even deep bathtubs, the environment changes from a relaxed leisure space to a potential hazard zone in seconds. The primary goal here is not to instill fear, but to empower you with practical, proactive habits that significantly reduce the risk of serious injury for your family.
First and foremost, always maintain "touch supervision" for young children near any body of water. This means staying within arm’s reach so you can physically intervene if a child slips or becomes distressed. Drowning is often silent and swift; it does not look like the dramatic splashing seen in movies. By keeping your eyes on them and your hands ready, you create an immediate safety net that no toy can replace. Additionally, ensure that any water toys you allow in the pool are designed specifically for aquatic use. Avoid using household items, such as diving sticks made from hard plastic or other rigid materials not intended for underwater play, as they can easily cause impalement injuries if a child falls onto them.
It is also wise to regularly inspect all water toys for damage. Cracks, sharp edges, or broken parts can turn a harmless toy into a dangerous object. If you notice any wear and tear, discard the item immediately rather than attempting to repair it with glue or tape, which rarely restores structural integrity. Furthermore, consider using floatation devices that are U.S. Coast Guard-approved for added protection, especially in open water where currents and depths can be unpredictable. Remember that inflatable rings or arm floats are not substitutes for active adult supervision.
Beyond immediate playtime safety, stay informed about product recalls by signing up for alerts from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or checking their website regularly. Manufacturers sometimes discover safety issues after a product has been sold, and timely recall information can help you prevent accidents before they happen. Finally, establish clear rules for pool or water play with older children as well. Teach them to never run near wet surfaces, to avoid pushing or diving in shallow areas, and to always ask permission before retrieving items from the bottom of a pool. These simple, consistent habits build a culture of safety that protects everyone involved.