Amazon

Amazon is one of the retailers most UK households turn to when putting together an emergency kit: torches and batteries, backup power, tinned and dried food, bottled water, first aid supplies and heating and cooking gear. Much of what it sells is listed by third-party marketplace sellers rather than by Amazon itself, and that is the one thing a prepared household most needs to understand about the store: who is responsible when something sold there turns out to be unsafe, and what to do about it.

This site also mentions Amazon's Echo Show smart display, which some households use for staying informed during an emergency. Like any mains-powered device, a smart speaker or display stops working during a power cut, so treat it as a convenience rather than a lifeline and keep a battery or wind-up radio in your kit as well.

Unsafe products removed from Amazon's UK store

Products sold through Amazon's marketplace are sometimes found to be unsafe and removed. In October 2026 the Office for Product Safety and Standards issued a notice for baby sleeping bags sold via Amazon that did not meet the General Product Safety Regulations 2005: they lacked arm openings or incorporated a hood, which may allow an infant to slip down inside the product during use. The listing was removed by Amazon, and owners were advised to stop using the product for unsupervised sleep immediately and contact the seller for a refund or replacement³.

Other examples in the government's recall records include an electric rechargeable hand warmer sold via Amazon and eBay, whose listing was removed by both marketplaces⁶, and a baby girl's pumpkin outfit sold via Amazon that presented a serious chemical risk⁷. The pattern is consistent: the marketplace removes the listing, and the buyer's remedy is through the seller.

The risk is not limited to one category. Goods from online marketplaces can be counterfeit or fail UK safety laws, and may not have been properly tested, posing a risk of fire, serious injury or even death⁸. Counterfeit or unsafe products imitate a well-known brand but are not genuine, do not meet UK safety standards, or are made with poor quality materials or components⁸. When buying anything you will rely on in an emergency, check for CE or UKCA safety markings, which products sold in Great Britain may display⁹.

What to do if Amazon emails you about a recalled product

If you are contacted about a product you bought, follow the notice: stop using the item and contact the seller you purchased from to request a refund or replacement³. Some recalls may affect only certain batches, so check the serial number of your item if the notice asks you to⁷.

Treat any unexpected email with care. Trading Standards have warned of scam emails claiming entitlements such as a Council Tax refund, designed to persuade recipients to disclose personal information or banking details. Do not click on any links, open attachments or provide any personal information until you have verified that the communication is genuine⁴.

The best protection is to be contactable in the first place. Register electrical items with the manufacturer so you can be informed of any safety recalls; the manufacturer will only contact you in the event of a recall and your details will not be used for marketing¹⁰. You can also sign up to the government's food and allergy alerts service, which notifies you whenever a product recall is published, with advice on what to do if you have bought the affected product¹.

Button batteries: a check before and after you buy

Many small devices sold online, including toys, remote controls and car key fobs, use button batteries. Store all spare batteries in a sealed container out of reach, make sure battery compartments on toys and devices are securely closed, and recycle used batteries safely so they are out of reach of children⁵. Only buy toys and other equipment from reliable sources, as they are more likely to have passed safety regulations¹¹.

If you think a child has swallowed one, act fast: there may be few symptoms, so trust your instincts, and do not make the child sick⁸. See our first aid guide for what to keep ready.

Where to get help

If you are concerned about the safety of any product, stop using it and make your concern known to the retailer, manufacturer or your local Trading Standards office⁹. Unsafe consumer products can be reported to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service⁹. To check a past purchase, search the government's product safety alerts, reports and recalls list¹, and for electrical items use Electrical Safety First's product checker: if your item is not listed it has not been recalled and should be safe to use, though you can still contact the retailer or manufacturer with concerns².