Photo Credit: CPSC
By Staff Reporter
iSkyNews.com (ISN) – Published April 30th, 2026
ST. LOUIS, MO – A toy designed for comfort has turned into a parent’s worst nightmare. Build-A-Bear Workshop has issued a massive, urgent recall for its "Heartwarming Hugs" weighted plush bears, warning that the toys pose a life-threatening choking hazard that could lead to serious injury or death.
The recall, issued today, April 30, 2026, impacts approximately 36,000 units across the United States and Canada.
At the center of this emergency is the bear's side pouch—a feature meant to hold a 2.5-pound weighted heart. Federal safety officials have issued a grim warning: the zipper slider on this pouch can snap off without warning.
If a child swallows or inhales this metal piece, the results could be fatal. While no deaths have been reported in the U.S. yet, a terrifying incident in the United Kingdom—where the zipper detached while a child was using the toy—has triggered this high-stakes race to get the bears out of homes before tragedy strikes.
Is Your Child in Danger?
Parents are urged to check their children's toy boxes immediately for Model Number 034464. You can find this number on the permanent label sewn into the back of the bear’s leg.
- Product: Heartwarming Hugs weighted plush bear.
- The Threat: A detaching metal zipper posing an immediate suffocation risk.
- Timeline: These bears were sold between January 2026 and March 2026 for about $48.
Safety experts are clear: Immediately snatch this toy away from your child. Do not wait for "playtime" to be over. This bear is a hazardous object that must be secured away from small hands.
How to Secure Your Refund:
⚠️ Return to Store: Take the bear to any Build-A-Bear Workshop for a full refund or a gift card.
⚠️ Return by Mail: If you cannot reach a store, visit
If you have these bears in your home, call the hotline immediately to ensure your family is safe:
- 📞 Phone: 844-541-0144 (Available 7 days a week)
- 📧 Email: ProductHotline@buildabear.com
- 🌐 Online:
www.buildabear.com
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