Urgent warning issued over water beads Christmas gifts for children

Emergency doctors have issued a safety warnings to parents over water beads as we approach Christmas Day.

Water beads, also known as jelly beads and water crystals, are a popular gift that children often receive over the festive period.

The beads, marketed as crafting tools, homeware items or toys, are just a few millimetres big but can expand to up to 400 times their original size in 36 hours when exposed to liquid.

Following expansion, the beads can reach the size of a ‘marble’ and are commonly used for ‘decorating, watering plans and kids’ parties and activities.’

That makes the beads dangerous to young children as, if swallowed, they can cause potentially fatal bowel destruction.

The beads have also been known to cause choking, which has proved to be fatal in some instances overseas.

Now, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCE) has warned that the popular present should be kept away from children under the age of five.

Parents and cares should immediately seek medical attention if they believe a child has swallowed a water bead.

Vice President of the RCEM, Dr Salwa Malik, said: ‘Having seen the effects first hand, which can be devastating and detrimental, we are asking people to please think twice about the dangers these pose while selecting and gifting presents this season.’

The RCEM have too advised doctors to be aware of the dangers of water beads, which are reportedly not visible on X-Rays.

The College too highlighted the dangers of other small items which could be swallowed by young children such as buttons, coins and magnets.

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