UK Doctors Warn: Water Beads Danger

[{"selector":"#anim-91aef936-bbf9-457c-9652-5b518e40ed75 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(24.375000798695417%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-08da31dc-37fb-400e-932a-d71a43c08b87","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.2381%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5ed08183-1d66-4e78-9627-f7b2ccdae065","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d5013a64-4114-435f-aa69-19e7cb1936aa","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0ea4e62d-852c-4a15-a4ea-17f7a98bf44f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) has issued an urgent safety warning about water beads, marketed as toys and crafting tools, that can expand 400 times their size when exposed to liquid. Photo source:- Ryutaro Tsukata (Pexels)

Dr. Salwa Malik highlights the life-threatening risks, sharing clinical experiences where children required emergency care after ingesting these beads.

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Water beads pose hazards such as bowel obstruction, choking, and diagnostic challenges due to their invisibility on X-rays.

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Additional dangers include button batteries, which can cause chemical burns, and strong magnets, which may lead to bowel perforation.

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A UK report revealed the death of a three-year-old who swallowed a coin battery, underscoring the urgency of these warnings.

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RCEM advises keeping water beads away from children under five and using them under close supervision for older children.

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Immediate medical attention is crucial if ingestion of any hazardous item is suspected.

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Parents are urged to consider safety risks when selecting gifts this festive season to prevent traumatic outcomes.

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Study: Liquid CO₂ Shaped Mars' Ancient Terrain

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