Doctors are raising urgent concerns about certain toys and household items that may pose serious health risks to children this holiday season. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) has issued a “safety flash” to warn parents and carers about water beads, button batteries and super-strong magnets – common items that can cause choking if swallowed. Life-threatening injuries may occur. these things are common christmas gift It can pose a serious risk to children as there have been cases when they swallowed these things resulting in their death.

Water beads, often marketed as toys, stress ball fillers or home decorations, have been linked to child deaths abroad and serious injury in Britain. These beads are initially small – only a few millimeters wide – but can expand up to 400 times their size when exposed to liquid. If swallowed by a child, they can grow inside the gastrointestinal tract, causing intestinal blockage that requires emergency surgery. What is worrying is that they do not show up on X-rays, making diagnosis more challenging.

Button or coin batteries, commonly found in household electronics and toys, also pose a serious hazard. If swallowed, they can remain in the baby’s esophagus and cause serious tissue damage due to the chemical reaction. In a tragic incident that came to light in 2019, a three-year-old girl lost her life after swallowing a button battery. Without immediate medical intervention, the consequences of such events can be fatal.

RCEM warns that super-strong magnets are another dangerous item. If swallowed, the magnets can attract each other through the intestinal walls, causing perforation or serious injury requiring immediate surgery. These magnets are often embedded in popular toys or craft kits, making them readily available to children.

RCEM Vice President Dr Salwa Malik issued a heartfelt plea:

“Any of these items may be hiding under your tree this festive season, designed to bring joy but posing serious risks to children and vulnerable adults. As an emergency medicine physician, I have seen the devastating consequences of swallowing these items. The trauma and fear experienced by the families is unimaginable.”

Dr Malik stressed the importance of raising awareness among both parents and emergency department staff to ensure timely and effective treatment when such cases arise.

RCEM advises parents and caregivers to take the following precautions:

– Inspect gifts: Avoid toys or items that contain water beads, button batteries or magnets.

– Educate children: Teach children not to put small objects in their mouth.

– Supervise play time: Supervise young children during play, especially with toys with detachable parts.

– Store safely: Keep batteries, magnets and small toys out of reach.

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