Otteroo safety information: the CPSC warning, our test reports, and the printed instructions

Is Otteroo safe? What CPSC says and what was tested

CPSC urges consumers not to buy, use, resell, or donate Otteroo LUMI, MINI, or earlier versions of Otteroo infant flotation rings, and that warning remains in effect. Otteroo says Otteroo LUMI 2026 is a redesigned product; CPSC's warning names Otteroo LUMI and does not refer separately to LUMI 2026. Otteroo LUMI 2026 is not certified to the new federal standard, though it passed two of the five sections. Otteroo NAMI, available in early 2027, passed all five sections on the samples tested.

What has CPSC said about Otteroo?

CPSC warned the public about Otteroo infant flotation rings on November 22, 2022, and renewed that warning on June 15, 2026. CPSC continues "to urge consumers not to buy, use, resell, or donate Otteroo LUMI, MINI, or earlier versions of Otteroo infant flotation rings." CPSC tells owners to "dispose of the product immediately." Read CPSC Warning 23-051 and CPSC release 26-559.

Is the Otteroo LUMI 2026 different from the LUMI CPSC warned about?

Otteroo says yes: LUMI 2026 is a redesigned product with a different restraint system. CPSC has not said so: its warning, renewed June 15, 2026, names Otteroo LUMI, does not refer separately to LUMI 2026, and remains in effect.

What changed. Otteroo LUMI 2026 has two sets of straps in the restraint system, each closed by a double-action release that takes two separate actions to open. LUMI 2025 had one set of straps with a single-action buckle and a second set of straps with hook-and-loop fasteners; earlier LUMI versions had a single set of straps with a single-action buckle.

The two double-action buckles are the quickest way to tell Otteroo LUMI 2026 apart from earlier LUMI floats.

What was tested. Otteroo LUMI 2026 passed the federal standard's neck-opening and restraint-system tests (16 CFR 1250.5(c)(3) and (c)(4)) at Intertek, a CPSC-accepted laboratory (report GZHH00661093, September 28, 2026). In the neck-opening test, the float is inflated to a reduced pressure of 0.1 PSIG, its surfaces are coated with baby-wash solution, and the straps are at their loosest setting. A weighted, head-sized probe is placed inside the neck opening while a suspended weight is swung below it, and the probe must not pass through.

In the restraint-system test, each fastener in the restraint system must either need two separate actions, done at the same time, to open, or need a force of at least 50 newtons to open with one action. Intertek recorded the LUMI 2026 result under the double-action option. A force of 200 newtons (45 lbf) is then applied to each attachment point of the restraint system. The force is built up over 5 seconds, held for 10 seconds, and repeated five times. The straps and buckles must not come apart or slip more than 1 inch (25 mm), and the strap anchors must stay attached.

What was not tested. The standard's conditioning and buoyancy tests and its labeling requirements were not requested for this report, and LUMI 2026 is not certified to 16 CFR 1250.5. The Intertek report and Supplemental Intertek Test Summary can be accessed on this page: https://otteroo.com/pages/cpsc-neck-float-standard-otteroo-2026

What does Otteroo make?

Otteroo makes a baby neck float designed for adult-supervised water play. It comfortably supports a baby's head, giving them the ability to move freely in the water with their caregiver right beside them.

Which Otteroo products does this page cover?

This page covers LUMI 2026 and NAMI in detail, and summarizes CPSC’s warning on MINI and earlier LUMI versions. Each product's testing is described in its own section. A result for one product does not apply to another.

What did Otteroo test on LUMI 2026?

Two of the five sections of 16 CFR 1250.5 were tested on Otteroo LUMI 2026 (manufactured April 2026), and both passed.

The laboratory was Intertek Testing Services Shenzhen Ltd., Guangzhou Branch, which CPSC lists as an accepted laboratory for 16 CFR 1250.5. Report GZHH00661093 is dated September 28, 2026. Intertek tested four samples between September 2 and 24, 2026. The results describe the samples tested. The Intertek report and Supplemental Intertek Test Summary can be accessed on this page: https://otteroo.com/pages/cpsc-neck-float-standard-otteroo-2026

Children's Product Certificate. The April 2026 batch is certified to the federal children's product and toy safety requirements (lead, phthalates, small parts, sharp points and edges, flammability, tracking labels) on third-party testing by TÜV Rheinland, a CPSC-accepted laboratory; the Children's Product Certificate can be accessed on this page: https://otteroo.com/pages/cpsc-neck-float-standard-otteroo-2026.

Label values. The LUMI 2026 label reads: ages 2 to 24 months, 9 to 35 lbs. The 35 lb figure is the label value. It was not tested or established under 16 CFR 1250.5(c)(2).

What did Otteroo test on NAMI?

Intertek, a CPSC-accepted laboratory, tested NAMI against each section of 16 CFR 1250.5. Report GZHH00656836 is dated September 24, 2026. Intertek tested four samples between July 28 and September 23, 2026. The results describe the samples tested. NAMI will be available for purchase in early 2027. The Intertek report can be accessed on this page: https://otteroo.com/pages/cpsc-neck-float-standard-otteroo-2026.

The same report includes tests under ASTM F963-23 and federal children's product rules: use-and-abuse, flammability, small parts, tracking labels, lead, and phthalates. NAMI was tested by a CPSC-accepted laboratory and meets the federal lead and phthalate limits for children's products.

Label values. The NAMI label reads: ages 2 weeks to 12 months, 6 to 32 lbs. Intertek ran the buoyancy test at the label's 32 lb maximum.

What about Otteroo MINI?

Otteroo MINI is named in CPSC's warning (see above). Otteroo has discontinued MINI. NAMI is designed to cover MINI's weight range: MINI was rated 6 to 18 lbs, and NAMI is rated for 6 to 32 lbs.

I already own an Otteroo. What should I know?

CPSC urges owners of Otteroo LUMI, MINI, and earlier versions not to use them and to dispose of them (CPSC Warning 23-051).

For any neck float, CPSC also advises caregivers to:

• "Follow the age and weight limits stated on the product."
• "For products with inflatable components, follow the manufacturer's guidance to properly inflate the product and verify that there are no leaks every time it is used."

Source: CPSC release 26-559, June 15, 2026.

The checks printed in the LUMI 2026 manual. These checks are for Otteroo LUMI 2026. The manual says to verify before each use that Otteroo is:

• Fully inflated: "Squeeze to confirm it's firm and holds its shape without noticeable give."
• Leak-free: "Submerge fully after inflating and gently squeeze. DO NOT USE if air bubbles appear."
• Snugly fitted: "Confirm Otteroo does not rotate freely around the neck and that only one finger fits between the neck and float. DO NOT USE if loose."

If you find a leak, stop using the float and do not try to repair it. Contact Otteroo at hello@otteroo.com.

Where and how to use, from the same manual. "Use only in a closed, controlled aquatic environment with water around 100°F (38°C) and deep enough for the child to float while wearing Otteroo." Never use it in an ocean, river, or lake. "Support the child's body when lowering into water. Never lift or lower by Otteroo."

Health considerations. The manual says not to use Otteroo for children with "conditions preventing safe immersion from the neck down" or "severe respiratory or cardiac conditions," and lists other conditions that call for a doctor's advice before use. For any question about your baby's health, talk with your pediatrician.

Second-hand floats. Otteroo recommends against buying or using a second-hand float, and against reusing one for a second child.

How closely should an adult supervise a baby in a neck float?

Always stay within arm's reach to keep your child's mouth above water. CPSC gives the same advice for any neck float (CPSC release 26-559).

Does an adult need to stay with the baby the whole time? Yes, always. An adult stays actively watching and within immediate reach for the entire session, start to finish. Otteroo asks customers to commit to this at checkout, and prints this on the packaging and the float itself.

The full regulatory record

The federal standard. The federal safety standard for infant neck floats, 16 CFR 1250.5, took effect on June 15, 2026. It applies to neck floats manufactured after June 15, 2026. CPSC extended the date by which neck floats must be third-party tested and certified to August 16, 2026, subject to the submission of samples. The standard sets requirements for neck floats. It is not a ban: CPSC determined that "a ban on neck floats is not necessary." Sources: final rule, 90 FR 58096 (ban discussion at 90 FR 58121 to 58122); extension notice, 91 FR 29118; 16 CFR 1250.5 on eCFR.

What CPSC found in 2022. CPSC stated that it "evaluated the Otteroo infant flotation rings and found that they can deflate during use or storage, causing the child occupant to slide out of the product into the water, which can lead to serious injury or death." The warning also covers "the Version 1, sold from 2014 to 2015, and the Version 2, sold from 2015 to 2018." Source: CPSC Warning 23-051.

Warnings and recalls. A CPSC warning is not a recall. A warning is CPSC's public advice to consumers. A recall is a corrective action carried out by the company. In 2015, Otteroo voluntarily recalled certain neck floats manufactured in 2014 for potential air loss (CPSC recall notice). In its 2022 warning, CPSC stated: "Otteroo has refused to agree to CPSC's request for an acceptable recall."

The FDA. On June 28, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a safety communication titled "Do Not Use Baby Neck Floats Due to the Risk of Death or Injury." As of November 11, 2026, the link to that safety communication on the FDA's website returns an error page.

The American Academy of Pediatrics. The AAP's HealthyChildren.org site says baby neck floats carry significant risks, including slipping through the opening and pressure on a baby's airway and neck, and that they remain risky even when they meet the new standard. The AAP calls for touch supervision, which it describes as staying close enough to keep a hand on the child at all times. Source: HealthyChildren.org, "Are Baby Neck Floats Safe to Use in the Tub or Pool?", last updated July 23, 2026.

Sources

1. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Warning 23-051, "CPSC Warning: Stop Using Otteroo LUMI and MINI Infant Flotation Rings Due to Drowning Hazard; One Infant Death Reported," November 22, 2022. https://www.cpsc.gov/Warnings/2023/CPSC-Warning-Stop-Using-Otteroo-LUMI-and-MINI-Infant-Flotation-Rings-Due-to-Drowning-Hazard-One-Infant-Death-Reported. Accessed September 2, 2026.
2. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. News release 26-559, "As CPSC's First Federal Neck Floats Safety Standard Takes Effect, Agency Renews 'Do Not Use' Warnings for Otteroo LUMI and MINI Infant Neck Floats," June 15, 2026. https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2026/As-CPSCs-First-Federal-Neck-Floats-Safety-Standard-Takes-Effect-Agency-Renews-Do-Not-Use-Warnings-for-Otteroo-LUMI-and-MINI-nfant-Neck-Floats. Accessed September 2, 2026.
3. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Final rule, "Mandatory Toy Safety Standards: Requirements for Neck Floats," 90 FR 58096, December 15, 2025. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/15/2025-22827/mandatory-toy-safety-standards-requirements-for-neck-floats
4. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Notice, "Extension of the Date by Which Neck Floats Must Be Tested and Certified Subject to the Submission of Samples," 91 FR 29118, May 19, 2026. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/19/2026-09977/extension-of-the-date-by-which-neck-floats-must-be-tested-and-certified-subject-to-the-submission-of
5. 16 CFR 1250.5, "Requirements for neck floats." eCFR. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-II/subchapter-B/part-1250/section-1250.5. Accessed September 2, 2026.
6. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Otteroo recall notice, 2015. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2015/Otteroo-Corp-Recalls-Inflatable-Baby-Floats
7. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Do Not Use Baby Neck Floats Due to the Risk of Death or Injury: FDA Safety Communication," June 28, 2022, as archived in docket CPSC-2024-0039. https://www.regulations.gov/document/CPSC-2024-0039-0001. Accessed September 2, 2026.
8. American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. "Are Baby Neck Floats Safe to Use in the Tub or Pool?" Last updated July 23, 2026. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/ask-the-pediatrician/Pages/are-baby-neck-floats-safe-to-use-in-the-tub-or-pool.aspx. Accessed September 2, 2026.
9. Intertek Testing Services Shenzhen Ltd., Guangzhou Branch. Report GZHH00661093 (LUMI 2026, item LUMI62601), September 28, 2026.
10. Otteroo. Supplemental Intertek Test Summary, LUMI62601. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0553/3125/files/Otteroo_LUMI-2026_Supplemental_Shopify.pdf?v=1790812640
11. Otteroo. Children's Product Certificate, LUMI62601, April 2026 batch, supported by TÜV Rheinland (Suzhou) report 304164898a 001, April 27, 2026. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0553/3125/files/Otteroo_LUMI-2026_CPC_Shopify.pdf?v=1790812609
12. Intertek Testing Services Shenzhen Ltd., Guangzhou Branch. Report GZHH00656836 (NAMI, item NAMI32-2601), September 24, 2026. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0553/3125/files/20261010_NAMI_Full_Intertek_Test_Report_Clean.pdf?v=1794417505
13. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Lab search, Intertek Guangzhou (lab 1065), scope 16 CFR 1250.5. https://www.cpsc.gov/cgi-bin/labsearch/ Accessed September 2, 2026.
14. Otteroo LUMI 2026 printed user manual (26Q1-IFU-LUMI, 26Q1-GW-LUMI).

Disclaimer

Otteroo is designed to provide buoyancy during water play. This article is general information, not medical advice. Every baby grows at their own pace. For questions about your baby, talk with your pediatrician.

Last verified November 11 2026.