WARNING! Water beads toy recall

In the spirit of the Safe Toys and Gifts exhibit on Healthinfo Island in December, 2023, we should point out the danger of water bead toys. These cute little polymer balls expand to 100 times their initial size when they absorb moisture.

Unfortunately, they apparently look enough like candy that young children will swallow them. And then they expand inside the child, causing life-threatening symptoms.

Due to their danger, several stores are stopping selling them. If you planned them as stocking stuffers, please don’t give them to young children.

For other tips about safe gift giving this holiday season, please check out the poster exhibit: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/98/40/26 

You can also search this website for toy recalls: https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Toys 

Thanks to Gingerjoy for the heads up on this dangerous toy.