An NHS paediatrician working on the front line in an Accident & Emergency department has issued an urgent pre-Christmas warning to parents, urging them to steer clear of several popular but potentially dangerous toys.
With Christmas Day fast approaching, Dr Lillie Parker took to social media platform TikTok to highlight the specific hazards posed by certain playthings, which she says are causing preventable injuries and emergency admissions.
The High-Risk Toy List: What Not to Buy
In a video posted on TikTok, Dr Parker began by stating "Beware of the risks of these toys" before detailing her list of items to avoid. Her warnings are based on firsthand experience treating children in A&E.
First on her list are water beads. "These are like sensory play toys that absorb fluid," Dr Parker explained. "The problem comes if they are swallowed - they can actually fill with water inside the body and block the intestines." Her stark advice was to "Avoid these like the plague. They are just too dangerous."
She also highlighted the severe danger of high-powered magnets. When swallowed, these small but powerful magnets can attract each other through intestinal walls, causing the bowel to stick together. "This can cause twisting or blockages," Dr Parker said, adding that she has seen children require emergency surgery as a result.
While Dr Parker said she "loves" reputable brands like Magna-Tiles, she warned against cheaper magnetic building block knock-offs. "They're really likely to fall apart and the little magnets come out and kids swallow them," she stressed.
Choking Hazards and Outdoor Dangers
The paediatrician also turned her attention to common choking risks, particularly in homes with younger siblings. "You have to be really careful with things like Lego heads and marbles," she said, noting they are the perfect size to block a baby or toddler's airway.
For outdoor gifts like scooters and balance bikes, Dr Parker's message was clear: never use them without a helmet. "Head injuries are probably the most common injury we see in A&E," she stated, urging parents to teach children the rule: "no helmet, no wheels."
In a follow-up video, Dr Parker expanded her warning list. She emphasised the well-known but critical risk of button batteries, commonly found in cheap toys. If swallowed, they can cause catastrophic internal burns. Her advice is to only buy battery-operated toys with a securely screwed-on compartment.
Foam Guns, Lasers, and E-Scooters
Other items on the doctor's avoid list include foam guns, which she has seen cause facial and eye injuries, and laser pens, which can cause permanent eye damage.
Perhaps surprisingly, she also advised against purchasing e-scooters for older children and teenagers. "We are seeing increasing amounts of trauma from road traffic accidents related to e-scooters," Dr Parker explained, citing excessive speed and a lack of protective gear, especially during dark winter evenings.
Dr Parker closed her public safety message by urging parents to "Try and have a really happy and safe Christmas," hoping her warnings will help prevent unnecessary trips to A&E over the festive period.
