Mermaid tail toy prompts drowning warning

West Australian parents have been warned of possible dangers associated with a `mermaid tail' pool toy that binds the legs of children as they swim.

The mermaid tail acts as a large flipper and usually comes with an age warning, but there are fears a child too young for the product may try one during the excitement of Christmas, Consumer Protection acting commissioner David Hillyard said.

Mr Hillyard said a child needed to be a strong swimmer in order to wear the tail and must be supervised by adults.

Eight pool drownings were recorded in WA during the 2013/14 financial year, two above the state average, according to the Royal Life Saving annual drowning report.