Water beads are sold as tiny pellets which gradually expand when soaked in water. They are often used as sensory toys and more recently in pellet or water guns. They are small and colourful, making them attractive to toddlers and babies, who may instinctively put them in their mouth, says the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), which has put out the warning.
According to Ireland’s statutory body responsible for enforcing consumer protection, if swallowed, water beads can continue to expand, growing considerably larger than their original size, causing intestinal blockages that require medical intervention. The beads can also become lodged in a child’s ears or nose.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) says there have been a number of reported incidents around the world involving water beads, including blockages in ear canals and internal organs resulting in hearing loss and bowel obstruction.
The Child Accident Prevention Trust recommends early years settings that plan to use waterbeads mitigate some of the risks by only bringing fully expanded beads into the main setting and keeping a close eye on children who play with them.
Chief executive Katrina Phillips told Nursery World, ‘With their bright colours and squishy feel, water beads are really enticing for young children. But if a child swallows them, they can expand many times their original size inside the child’s intestine, causing a bowel obstruction. What’s more, the beads don’t show up on X-rays and require complex surgery to find and remove.
‘So carefully weigh up the risks and benefits. If you’re still planning to use them in your setting, mitigate some of the risks by expanding the beads in a staff-only area, only bringing fully-expanded beads into the main nursery and keeping a close eye on children while they’re playing with them. And store them in a safe place away from children.
‘If you suspect a child in your care has inhaled or swallowed a waterbead, or has one stuck in their nose or ear, seek medical help immediately.’
Guidelines for parents from the CCPC
- Keep water beads away from young children.
- Supervise older children when they are using water beads, allowing them to play with water beads only after the beads have expanded.
- Ensure that the water beads are thoroughly cleared away after use, checking under furniture or other objects for any that may have rolled away.
- Dispose of water beads safely when no longer in use.
- Keep older and younger siblings’ toys separate; this can help prevent younger children from getting their hands on toys that are not age appropriate.
- Always check the recommended age range on toys. Most water beads are only recommended for children 5 years old and older.