Water beads can be fatal for children: Health Canada – CTV
May 5, 2023
Health Canada has issued a notice about water beads, warning parents and caregivers about the life-threatening risks of these tiny beads to young children.
Health Canada says water beads, which are also known as jelly beads, hydro orbs, crystal soil, sensory beads, or orb beads, are water-absorbing gel beads that can grow up to 1,500 times their size when placed in water.
“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,” Health Canada said in a release.
The health agency says parents should make sure their children never swallow or put water beads in their ears or nose because they can be “very harmful” and may cause life-threatening injuries such as intestinal or bowel obstruction.
Read more: https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/water-beads-can-be-fatal-for-children-health-canada-1.6385049
