Water beads can be fatal if swallowed, Health Canada warns parents – CBC
Toy that grows in water can also be ‘very harmful’ if placed in nose or ears, agency advises
May 10, 2023
Health Canada is warning parents and caregivers about water beads, which can be fatal if swallowed.
These tiny beads, 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, according to the advisory.
“If ingested, water beads can continue to grow inside the body leading to potentially life-threatening injuries, such as intestinal or bowel obstruction,” it says.
They are typically brightly coloured, which may lead young children or adults with cognitive impairment to mistake them for candy, Health Canada advises.
Water beads, which may be promoted to parents and caregivers for sensory play, can also be “very harmful” if placed in the nose or ears, it says.
