VTech has issued an urgent recall for one of its popular products

VTech Electronics Europe plc, a popular toy brand, has issued a recall for one of its products - Shake & Sing Elephant.

The company has found that some of the stock, if dropped on the ground, can break in such a way that a metal rod, which is partially covered by a plastic sheath, can become exposed. While it isn't sharp and hasn't been found to have caused any injuries so far, the company has issued a recall to prevent anything happening. On the website the company said:

"In some extreme cases (strong torsion or violent fall), one of the rotating ears of the elephant can detach to reveal a small metal rod (not sharp) partially covered with a white plastic sheath. This metal rod remains attached to the head of the elephant. It measures about 2 mm in diameter and 2 to 4 mm long. If the child comes into contact with this rod, it may cause a small pain but - according to our tests - no skin breakage or other serious injury. So far, no one has reported any incident or injury to us due to the use of the toy. However, for the sake of quality, we prefer to withdraw the product from the sale. If you have one of these rattles, we advise you - as a precaution - to remove this toy from your child's reach and return it to us for exchange."

VTech has said that it only applies to certain batch numbers, VT5445 to VT7096. Once the defect was reported it modified the design and the metal rod and so it only applies to those codes. You can find the batch number above the barcode on the back of the box, as well as inside the battery compartment cover. VTech has said that anyone who has the specific barcodes, can return the product for a full refund to the store where it was purchased. It has also said, "If you are unable to identify this number, or if you are still worried and prefer to return your toy although it does not correspond to the identified batch numbers, we will exchange it without discussion."