Health Canada warns about the dangers of water beads for kids

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Health Canada is warning parents and caregivers about the risks of water beads, a toy that can grow up to 1,500 times their size when placed in water.

The product, also known as jelly beads, hydro orbs, crystal soil, sensory beads or orb beads, can be fatal if swallowed or cause harm if put in the ears or nose, the agency said.

If ingested, water beads can continue to grow inside the body, leading to potentially life-threatening injuries, such as intestinal or bowel obstruction.

Water beads can be found in a wide range of products that may be accessible to children, such as toys, art kits, stress balls, foot baths, vase fillers, and gardening products.

They are also sold in their dehydrated form in individual containers. They may be promoted to parents and caregivers of young children, specifically for use in sensory bins, according to Health Canada.

The agency warns that water beads are typically brightly coloured, and may be mistaken for candy with young children.

These beads are also small, slippery and bouncy, allowing them to roll away from their initial location. Health Canada says in some cases, children gained access to beads that had rolled to another area of the home and were overlooked during cleanup.

Health Canada says it’s aware of several international incidents where children who had ingested water beads required surgical intervention.

If you suspect a child has ingested a water bead, call the Canadian Poison Centre hotline at 1-844-POISON-X and monitor for symptoms, such as vomiting, abdominal or chest pain, abdominal swelling or soreness, constipation, lethargy,
drooling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, and loss of appetite.

It is recommended that caregivers of children under five avoid having water beads in their household or classroom, even if intended for an older child or adult use.

ticrawford@postmedia.com