If you want to be the Caped Crusader, you’re going to need a nifty utility belt, some cool gadgets and a slick, stealthy car that drives itself.

But it seems some young Batman-wannabes might have to put their crime-fighting plans on hold, and hang up their capes.

This is because Ikea has recalled its Lattjo Bat cape after reports of three children that suffered “marks and scratches” on their necks while using the capes.

In these instances, the cape got stuck and did not detach easily from the neck of the children, said the Swedish home decor company in a statement on Wednesday (April 6).

Not exactly the best scenario if Batman ever needed a quick costume change, even if Robin was around to help.

But the good news is that no injuries which required medical treatment have been reported globally, but due to the risk of strangulation or injuries to the neck, Ikea has taken the precautionary measure to recall the product.

Ikea, which says it has a zero tolerance with regards to child safety, urges customers who have the Lattjo Bat cape to immediately stop children from playing with it and to bring it back to any Ikea store for a full refund. Proof of purchase is not required. 

Business area manager at Children’s Ikea Ms Cindy Andersen said: “Our investigation after the reports from customers has not only identified that the fastening on the cape does not detach easily enough, it has shown us that we need clear Ikea requirements when it comes to this type of fastening.”

The Lattjo Bat cape has been sold on all Ikea markets except Russia and Indonesia since November 2015.

Ikea apologises for any inconvenience caused, added the statement.

Sorry kids (and some adults), putting the Joker behind bars will just have to wait.

For more information, please contact Ikea’s customer relations at 6786-6868.

prabukm@sph.com.sg

SINGAPORE – Certificate of Entitlement (COE) prices ended mixed in the first round of the bidding exercise in April.

For Category A cars that are 1,600cc and below with a horsepower of 130bhp, premiums went up to $46,009 from $45,504 in the previous COE exercise in March, said a statement from the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

Premiums for Category B cars that are above 1600cc went up to $47,000 from $46,502 previously.

In Category C that is for goods vehicles and buses, premiums went down to $44,213 from $4,502.

For Category D that is for motorcycles, premiums also went down to $6,503 from $6,589.

And in the open Category E, premiums went up to $47,510 from $46,667.

LTA received 8,053 bids at the end of the April first open bidding exercise for COEs. Of these, 4,184 were successful.

The Straits Times reported that motor traders said buying sentiment remains weak, and bidding is expected to stay subdued in the next tender two weeks from now.

SGCarMart reported that it anticipates that more people will want to renew their COEs instead of buying brand new cars, and expect the demand for new cars to remain fairly steady.

spanaech@sph.com.sg