Consumer warning issued for toy water beads
The CPSC has issued a warning of injury or death from toy water beads
(InvestigateTV) — ‘Trouble in Toyland 2023,’ a report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), said that about 150,000 children under 14 are injured by toys each year. The report specifically highlighted dangers associated with water beads.
Teresa Murray, a consumer watchdog for PIRG, said water beads are a small and potentially deadly toy for children.
“They’re oftentimes popular with families who have a child, who’s on the autism spectrum because they’re colorful and bright and just, you know, a good sensory toy,” Murray explained. “But they can be incredibly dangerous because if you add water to them in a cup or a bowl and they expand, guess what’s going to happen if a child swallows one of these tiny little button things, it’s going to expand!”
Murray said water beads become very dangerous if they are ingested by a child or pet.
“We have had deaths that have been reported in connection with a child who has swallowed a water bead,” Murray said. “And multiple, multiple cases of really serious injuries that kids have sustained.”
According to data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), about 7,800 children were treated in the ER from 2016 to 2022 for injuries or illnesses caused by water beads.
That fact has prompted the CPSC to issue numerous warnings to not use water beads around children.
In September, the federal agency reported it was aware of at least one child who died after swallowing a water bead and a second child who was forced to undergo months of surgeries to clear the intestinal obstruction that occurred after she swallowed one.
About 52,000 Chuckle & Roar Ultimate Water Beads Activity Kits were recalled due to ingestion, chocking and obstruction hazards.
“The CPSC also said if you have a child, a young child in your home, do not have water beads in your home. Period. Full stop,” Murray warned.
Murray said this threat is one of the rare times the CPSC has indicated that a product will not be around for very long but noted that regulation and enforcement sometimes can take months or years.
She said the best-case scenario is that regulation occurs in 2024, but that doesn’t help people who already have water beads in their home.
The CPSC urges anyone who may have water beads to thoroughly check their floorboards, toy chests, and area around bathtubs to make sure there are no water beads on the loose.
To report injuries sustained by water beads, or any other product, visit SaferProducts.gov
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