Consumer protection authorities are warning Australians not to use air loungers in water after two people nearly died while floating on them in backyard pools on Christmas Day.The inflatable loungers were heavily advertised on social media in the lead-up to Christmas and were popular gifts. Prices can range from $20 for a cheap copy on eBay to $130 for a branded product. Anthea Chester, a paramedic from Pakenham, in Victoria, said she was watching her daughter Hollie float on a blue Now Lounger in her friend's backyard pool when the fabric split and engulfed her body."She suddenly disappeared into the middle of it. She then emerged standing up, thank goodness, because the water was shoulder height and she was encased in the parachute material," she said."It was almost vacuum-sealed to her face because it was so wet and so heavy and she said, 'Mum, I can't breathe, I can't get this off, help me'."I was about to jump in but because she was standing just out of arm's reach, she managed to pull the vacuum seal off her face and we said calmly walk to the side of the pool and we'll get it off you, which she did."
Ms Chester said it took a while to pull it off because the material was waterlogged and heavy.After lodging a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, she shared her experience on Facebook, which has since attracted 6600 comments and been shared 18,500 times."Some comments are quite nasty like, 'Why didn't you read the warning labels'. But there were no warnings, no instructions, no tags, saying not to use it in water. There are plenty of photos showing people using it in water," she said."Others are saying I used a cheap, inferior copy and that the original one is safe, but what is the original one? They're generally all the same thing, a plastic, blow-up thing."Consumer watchdogs, including NSW Fair Trading and Consumer Affairs Victoria, said they were aware of reports of the lining of inflatable air loungers splitting while being used in water, presenting a drowning hazard.They said product safety regulators have met under the leadership of the ACCC to review safety concerns and are making inquiries with relevant suppliers."
At this time, product safety regulators including NSW Fair Trading are warning consumers not to use inflatable air loungers as flotation devices in water, including in pools," a statement reads."Adults are urged to take steps to remove inflatable air loungers from locations in or around water (including pools) and to ensure they are not used by children as flotation devices."Fairfax Media contacted Now Loungers, based in California, US, for comment but the company did not respond before deadline.Nevil Whitlock, a 76-year-old retiree from The Entrance in NSW, also nearly drowned on Christmas Day when the Now Lounger he was sitting on split and pulled him into the pool."It completely wrapped around him but thankfully the water was chest high. I had a broken toe and a boot and was about to jump in, when he gasped for air looking completely panicked," Mr Whitlock's daughter Julie Kosy said."He is quite fit, but had it been a small child, it could have been a lot worse. I sent an email to the website saying you have to take all the photos down of people using it on water, and a guy called Burt emailed back saying they would take our comments into consideration.
But nothing's been done about it."The owners of "Australian owned and operated" Bondi Beach Lounge, which sell their product for $60 a pop, said they were shocked by the near drownings.But they insisted that quality varied and the market had been flooded with potentially dangerous and poor quality products."We spent time ensuring our product is as safe as we could make it by using a durable Ripstop nylon to prevent accidents like those shown through social media," they said."We were the first to introduce instructions on the product to ensure that children are not to use it without adult supervision and that it is not to be used solely as a flotation device."Their website currently says the product "is suitable for use in the pool, surf or lake. However it is not a flotation device."Consumers are encouraged to report any incidents resulting from the use of an inflatable air lounge online to the ACCC at www.accc.gov.au or by telephone to NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20.If it's good enough for Tay-Tay, it's good enough for us.
This summer has seen the rise of the super inflatable, as seen in photographs shared by Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris, model Emily Ratajkowski and Miley Cyrus - who have all enjoyed spending time with gigantic plastic floats. But there's more to pool fun than just inflatables. Here MailOnline brings you this summer's hottest pool toys, from gigantic seesaws to floating golf greens. No one makes a pool float cooler than Taylor Swift and boyfriend Calvin Harris, pictured here enjoying the sun on an inflatable swan Kendall Jenner is also a fan of floating swans, as this Instagram picture she uploaded showsThe swan inflatable has entered the world of pool parties with a splash, being the main feature of many celebrity Instagram pictures. Join Kendall Jenner and Taylor Swift in forking out for one to enhance your summer holidays. Available from Amazon for $89 (£57), the swan is the must-have pool accessory. A slice of the action: The giant floating pizza slice lets you recline in the pool and even has a drinks holderThe giant pizza slice is a great way of keeping cool in the pool, as well as telling the world you're a big fan of Italian food.
Available from Amazon for $79.99 (£51) the 72-inch float even has a drinks holder for full pool-time pleasure.Alternatively, it can be bought from Urban Outfitters for £35, and if you have enough people keen for a slice of the action, multiple pieces can be connected together to make a large whole pizza. Huge plastic choc-ice you say? If pizzas not your cup of tea, perhaps go for this floating chocolate treat, perfect for the sweet-toothed swim fan.Available for a little more than your usual choc-ice at £14.58 on Amazon. Cup of tea with that? This tasty-looking pool inflatable takes the biscuit with its low price of £14.58 Under the sea: Ride on a giant crustacean with this lobster float from Amazon for £34.58 Party in the USA: Miley Cyrus makes a splash as she cuddles up to close pal Cheyne Thomas for a cuddle on a flamingoWhy not opt to party like Miley Cyrus on a giant pink flamingo pool float, also available from Amazon. Priced from $178 (£114) it may be preferable to choose cheaper alternatives such as Funboy's $89 (£57) alternative.
Continuing the animal theme, a lobster float from Amazon can be yours for $53.64 (£34.58). Perhaps take a leaf out of Emily Ratajkowski's book and feel like a Greek god or goddess on this winged Pegasus pool float, available from Funboy. Or elevate your pool lounging experience by sunbathing on this gold-winged horse-god from $89 (£57). Perhaps take a leaf out of Emily Ratajkowski's book and feel like a Greek god or goddess on this winged Pegasus pool float, available from Funboy Elevate your pool lounging experience by sunbathing on this gold-winged horse-god from $89.00 (£57)Who says the pool is just for lounging when there are inflatables to cater for every peckish or thirsty sun-worshipper. Amazon do a blow-up bar which includes multiple food and drink sections and two carry handles, so no one needs to leave the pool or hot tub. The £12.99 spa caddy can float in the water or anchor on to the side using two water weighted stability chambers.Continuing the theme of the edible floaties, Urban Outfitters do an incredible donut float for just $29 (£18.69) and a pretzel one for $29 (£18.69).
Amazon do a blow-up bar which includes multiple food and drink sections and two carry handles, so no one needs to leave the pool or hot tub Continuing the theme of the edible floaties, Urban Outfitters do an awesome donut float for just $29 Resist taking a bite out of this floating pretzel, which provides the perfect addition to the swimming pool For those who wish to hide away from the scorching midday sun, maybe a floating igloo is the inflatable for you. Crawl through the igloo entrance or swim up through the hole in the base. This incredible float was found on Amazon for $79.95 (£51.54) but is currently unavailable. For those who wish to hide away from the scorching midday sun, maybe a floating igloo is the inflatable for you For the sporty sun-worshippers, create your own golf green with floating holes in the pool Host volleyball competitions in your pool with a blow-up net from Amazon for just over £10Perhaps you prefer sporty activities in the pool instead of just catching some rays.