Irish parents have been warned about charm bracelets given away free by Reebok after a child died from lead poisoning in the United States after apparently swallowing a link from one.
Thousands of the heart-shaped charm bracelets have been given away free by the sportswear firm with purchases of children's footwear in the USA, United Kingdom and Ireland.
Reebok is rapidly recalling the gifts over fears that they contain high levels of lead, following the death of a four-year-old child in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
A Reebok bracelet similar to the one that killed a child in the United States. She died of lead poisoning after reportedly swallowing one
A statement on Reebok's British customer helpline said: "Reebok is recalling approximately 145,000 metal charm bracelets which have been distributed in the UK and Ireland. A spokesman for the company said it was not possible to say how many charm bracelets were distributed in Ireland.
"This voluntary recall is being conducted because the bracelet may contain high levels of lead," the company statement said.
"Reebok is aware of the death from lead poisoning of a child who has reportedly swallowed a piece from one of these bracelets."
The bracelets are eight inches long, made from silver-coloured metal and have the name Reebok engraved on the side of a heart-shaped charm.
The sportswear firm warned that the gift should be immediately taken away from children and advised British customers to call their helpline on 0800 305050.
A statement on Reebok's website said the firm was also recalling 300,000 bracelets in the United States.
The bracelets were given away in the United States between May 2004 and this month with children's footwear. Parents are advised to dispose of them straight away.