Emergency doctors in the UK have issued a safety warning on water beads, which can be given as Christmas gifts to children.
Brightly colored plastic beads are also known as jelly balls, sensory beads or water crystals.
They are usually only a few millimeters but some can grow up to 400 times their original size in about 36 hours when exposed to liquid, creating a hidden danger. If a child swallows it, it can cause an intestinal obstruction and the consequences can be fatal.
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) advises that pearls should be kept well away from children under the age of five.
The “Safety Flash” is for doctors to make sure they know what to look out for while on duty, but the college also wants parents and caregivers to be aware of the dangers.
Pearls are not visible on X-rays.
They can also cause suffocation and harm to children in the UK, with reports linking them to deaths abroad, the government said. The Office of Product Safety and Standards said in September.
She added that pearls should only be used by older children or frail adults under close supervision.
RCEM advises parents and caregivers to seek immediate medical attention if there is any suspicion that a child has swallowed a water bead.
RCEM Vice President Dr Salwa Malik told PA media, “Having seen first-hand the effects, which can be devastating and damaging, we are asking people to please choose gifts this season. And think twice about those risks when giving a gift.” .
The RCEM alert also highlights the potential danger of button or coin batteries and magnets to children and vulnerable adults, if swallowed.