A health visitor has issued an urgent appeal for parents to remove toys containing water beads from their homes, warning they pose a "severe, fatal risk" to children. The alert comes as families begin shopping for Christmas presents.
Health Visitor Warns of Severe Risks
Ruth Watts, a health visitor, said official safety alerts have been issued around toys containing water beads, especially for younger children. She noted that while her own daughter has one in her sensory box and many older children own these squishy toys, they can be dangerous.
"Not only do these beads increase the risk of choking hazards, but they also can absorb up to 400 times the amount of water, which means they will expand inside your child," she said. "So, when expanded, they can block intestines, they can block stomachs, they can cause severe bowel obstruction that then frequently require major emergency surgery."
Watts also highlighted that some water beads can contain higher levels of dangerous chemicals, adding that the risk is not worth taking, particularly with younger children who put things in their mouths.
Official Safety Alert and Government Advice
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued a Safety Alert warning of the risks water beads pose to children and vulnerable adults, following action to remove unsafe products from the market. The alert advises keeping water beads away from children under 5 years of age and using them with older children or vulnerable adults only under close supervision.
Water beads can expand up to 400 times their original size when exposed to liquid. They are sold under names including jelly balls, water balls, sensory beads, or water crystals, and are marketed for use as toys, in crafting, as home decor, or in floristry.
When swallowed, the beads expand and can block the gastrointestinal passage, which may require surgery. They can also cause choking and have harmed children in the UK, with reports linking them to deaths overseas. Water beads are difficult to detect and do not show up in x-ray.
Watts made an "urgent appeal to get rid of toys that have water beads inside of them." Her video has sparked conversation, with many thanking her for the advice and saying they would dispose of any they find. If a water bead is suspected to have been swallowed, medical help should be sought immediately.
