If you bought one of Primark’s small Halloween gonk decorations this autumn, check it before leaving it around children or moving it unnecessarily. The UK Office for Product Safety and Standards published a recall on 6 October for two Primark Halloween Gonks because the sand sealed inside the doorstops may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.
The affected items are the Witch Mini and Pumpkin models. The recall is unusual enough to attract attention, but the practical response should be calm and careful: stop using the decoration, avoid opening or shaking it, contain it as instructed and return it to Primark for a refund.
Which Primark Halloween gonks are recalled?
The official UK notice identifies two seasonal decorations. The Witch Mini has model number 991174794 and barcode 212047125. The Pumpkin model has model number 991179148 and barcode 212080261.
They are decorative gonk-style doorstops, one with a witch hat and grey hair and one with a pumpkin-themed hat. If your decoration looks similar, do not identify it by appearance alone. Check the product information against the official recall notice.
Why is Primark recalling them?
The Office for Product Safety and Standards says the sand inside the products may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos. Asbestos is prohibited because inhaling airborne fibres can damage health. The products therefore do not meet the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.
The important detail is that the sand is normally sealed inside the decoration. That is why the official instructions differ depending on whether the item is intact or damaged.
What should you do if the gonk is undamaged?
The official advice is to stop using it immediately, place it in a heavy-duty plastic bag, tape the bag securely, label it clearly and store it somewhere secure and out of children’s reach until it can be returned.
Do not cut the decoration open to inspect the filling. Do not empty the sand into a household bin and do not vacuum or shake the item. Those actions could create dust unnecessarily.
What if the decoration is damaged and the filling has leaked?
If the filling is accessible, the government notice advises keeping children and other people away from the area. Clean the affected location using wet cloths so that dust is not generated. Wear gloves and a mask, then double-bag the product, filling, gloves, mask and cloths.
This is one of those situations where ordinary dry sweeping is not the best response. The aim is to avoid making fine particles airborne. If the spill is extensive or you are unsure what to do, contact your local authority for disposal guidance rather than improvising.
Can you return it without a receipt?
Yes. The recall notice states that affected products can be returned to the nearest Primark store for a full refund and that a receipt is not required.
If you cannot return the product to a store, the government recommends following the containment instructions and checking with your local authority about safe asbestos disposal.
Does owning one mean you have been exposed to asbestos?
No. Ownership does not automatically mean exposure. Risk depends on whether asbestos fibres are present, whether they become airborne and whether they are inhaled. An intact sealed item is a different situation from a damaged item with loose filling.
That is why the recall guidance focuses on stopping use and containing the decoration without disturbing it. Avoiding unnecessary handling is more useful than trying to inspect the sand yourself.
Should you throw it straight into the household bin?
Not if you can follow the official recall route. Primark is accepting returns, and local authorities have specific arrangements for asbestos-containing or potentially asbestos-contaminated waste. Putting a damaged item loosely into general waste could expose other people handling the rubbish.
Keep the product isolated and follow the official return or disposal instructions.
Why are children specifically mentioned?
Halloween decorations are often placed on floors, stairs, doorways and low furniture where children can touch or play with them. A small decorative object can also be mistaken for a toy. The recall notice therefore explicitly advises keeping the item and any affected area away from children.
Parents should also check playrooms, bedrooms and storage boxes if seasonal decorations have already been moved around the home.
How to identify the product quickly
- Look for a gonk-style Halloween doorstop sold by Primark.
- Check whether it is the Witch Mini or Pumpkin design.
- Compare model number 991174794 or 991179148.
- Compare barcode 212047125 or 212080261.
- If it matches, stop using it and follow containment instructions.
What if the label or barcode is missing?
If you no longer have the packaging and cannot find the identifying information, compare the product with images and descriptions in the official government recall. If you still cannot tell, contact Primark rather than opening the product.
A cautious identification process is preferable to damaging an item that may have remained safely sealed.
What symptoms should make you seek medical advice?
Asbestos-related disease does not typically present as an immediate reaction after brief contact with an intact object. The main concern is inhalation exposure over time. If a product was badly damaged and you believe you inhaled dust, you can discuss the circumstances with NHS 111 or your GP for personalised advice.
Do not use symptoms alone to decide whether a product is safe. The recall applies because of the potential contamination, not because owners are expected to feel an immediate effect.
Why this recall deserves attention
Seasonal products are bought quickly, displayed for a short period and then stored for months. That makes recalls easy to miss. Someone may put the decoration into a loft box after Halloween and forget about it until next year.
If you know a friend or relative who bought the same gonk, sending them the official product numbers is more useful than sharing an alarming headline without identification details.
Bottom line
The recall covers two specific Primark Halloween gonk doorstops. If yours matches, stop using it, do not open it, contain it securely and return it to Primark. If the filling has escaped, avoid creating dust and follow the government’s wet-cleaning and double-bagging instructions.
Source
The details and disposal instructions come from the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards: Product Recall: Primark Halloween Gonks (2610-0004), published 6 October 2026.
More UK consumer alerts are available in Life.
