Jörgen remembers the call. The fact that the eye came off despite all risk analyses and safety checks was very serious. Still, in hindsight, he still sees that it led to something really good. ”Thanks to what happened, we learned to systematize safety work even more. We established clearer procedures and areas of responsibility”.
Product features
- Machine washable
Big and safe to have by your side if you want to discover the world below the surface of the ocean. The blue shark can swim very far, dive really deep and hear noises from almost 250 metres away.
Article number303.735.88
Product details
Children tend to be fascinated by any story about sharks – one of the ocean's most terrifying predators. This blue shark is not dangerous at all, just soft to hug and safe to have by their side.
All soft toys are good at hugging, comforting and listening and are fond of play and mischief. In addition, they are reliable and tested for safety.
We know our soft toys should handle many years of love. That’s why we’ve chosen comfy materials, embroidered eyes, performed rigorous washing tests – and ensured that they’re free from harmful chemicals.
Simple to keep clean and fresh since the soft toy can be machined washed at 40°C.
Designer
IKEA of Sweden
Good to know
IKEA of Sweden AB SE-343 81 Älmhult, IKEA.com
Materials & care
Material
- Fabric:
- 100 % polyester
- Filling:
- 100% polyester - hollow fibre (100% recycled)
Care
Machine wash, max 40°C, mild process.
Do not bleach.
Tumble drying, low temperature (max 60°C).
Do not iron.
Do not dryclean.
Safety & compliance
Recommended for ages from 18 months.This product bears the CE mark.
Measurements
- Length: 100 cm
Packaging
BLÅHAJ
Article number303.735.88- Width: 58 cm
- Height: 24 cm
- Length: 103 cm
- Weight: 0.67 kg
- Package(s): 1
Customer reviews
4.9Average rating
2605Reviews
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Story
The story of a broken eye and what it taught us
The IKEA store in Helsinki, Finland, was full of customers that day back in 1997. Being a textile technologist at Children’s IKEA at the time, Carina Ingelsten ran a course about safety for a group of IKEA co-workers. ”I lifted up a teddy bear and pulled on the legs and arms to show how well they are sewn in place. When I pulled on the plastic eye, something happened that shouldn't – the eye came off”, says Carina. This was a major setback for Children's IKEA, but it was a setback that would lead to important safety improvements.
All soft toys were removed from the store as Carina tried to call her colleagues in Sweden. ”It was a Saturday, so it wasn't that easy to get a hold of people, but in the end Jörgen Svensson, my manager at Children's IKEA, answered and we succeeded in stopping global sales of our soft toys”.
Major consequences
More personal expression
The incident also led to the decision to not use plastic eyes at all. Embroidered eyes were not only safer, they also proved to give more character and personality to the toys. Annie Huldén, a designer who has created many soft toys over the years, agrees. ”The eyes are very important for a soft toy and plastic eyes easily seem too symmetrical and stale, while embroidered eyes are easier to vary in terms of the design, the size of pupils and the eyelashes.” Soft toys at Children's IKEA are loved by children throughout the world. It's a loved friend to play with and find comfort with - and which parents can always feel secure about.
Quality/durability
Sure, they’re cute but are they safe? Absolutely!
You can rest assured knowing that all our children’s products live up to the highest health and safety standards. We put our toys to the test – up against the toughest in the world (much tougher than any two-year-old). All so you can worry less and they can play more.
Function solution
Soft toys to hug, again and again
We know our soft toys should handle many years of love. That’s why we’ve chosen comfy materials, embroidered eyes, performed rigorous washing tests – and ensured that we test them for harmful chemicals. Simple to keep clean and fresh since they can be machined washed.