Can we talk about water beads?

[dendy]

@holytrinity Excellent point. My friend put them in a separate bag so I didn’t see any labeling. That being said, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen them often used for sensory activities - though that’s human error obviously. It still seems chaotic to sell them at a toy store. We all know people suck at reading labels.

 

[eynon81]

@holytrinity Sometimes it’s this, and sometimes it’s a situation where a younger sibling who wasn’t allowed to interact with them finds one that was forgotten/lost during clean up. Things can happen in an instant.

 

[holytrinity]

@eynon81 True. I would definitely discourage anyone with small toddlers to bring these into their home.

 

[eynon81]

@holytrinity Or anyone with pets!

 

[martin70]

@usernamednameduser Thank you for the PSA. My son was gifted water beads for his birthday last year and I put them in the closet as we hadn’t gotten around to using them yet. After reading all of these comments I’m going to throw them out. Thank you again.

 

[buttleinpa]

@usernamednameduser Fortunately not all hospitals are this unprepared. Water beads have been part of our pediatric continuing education for several years now! I'm so sorry your sister and niece had to go through that.

 

[zcross]

@usernamednameduser I will never buy them. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[jimmyjames3]

@usernamednameduser Well I learned a new scary fact today

 

[lorain]

@usernamednameduser Orbeez came out and got popular when I was in elementary school and my mom immediately placed a ban on them in our household. As a kid I thought that it was so unfair, but now as someone in her shoes I totally get it. They are also permanently banned from my house as well. I get why they're fun for kids, but they're just way too dangerous

 

[teiakiss]

@usernamednameduser I wouldn’t even have them in my home if I had a toddler.

 

[jamesdtyler]

@usernamednameduser This is TERRIFYING omg.

 

[bygrace87]

@usernamednameduser Thank you, I didn’t know about this!

 

[heretolearn]

@usernamednameduser I'm so sorry. I am glad your niece is okay. Water beads should NEVER be sold - too many people either don't know the dangers or think their kid will be fine and will know not to eat them. They probably look like candy to a small kid and you may not even know they've eaten one until it's too late.

 

[patrickmpalm]

@usernamednameduser They should not be given to children who don't understand the dangers and should also be kept away from pets.

In most cases I think an ingested one would pass, it isn't like they just grow and grow and grow but there is always that horrible chance something really terrible could happen or God forbid a child ingest multiple beads.

 

[iamakaur]

@usernamednameduser I hadn’t seen this news story and had no idea the risk that water beads posed. Thank you so much for sharing this and I’m sorry your sister had to go through such a terrifying experience!

 

[justin78]

@usernamednameduser Never occured to me, my oldest got gifted some. Il be sure he doesn't play with them near his sister!!

 

[nataliekennard]

@usernamednameduser I bought these for my kids once before I knew how dangerous they are. Banned from our house now.

 

[katrina2017]

@usernamednameduser Living in a major metro area I took my LO to regular ER and they were useless. If at all possible, go to Children's Emergency / Urgent Care. ER doctors are great but they're generalists and not usually highly effective with pediatric cases beyond basics.

 

[hinesyo]

@usernamednameduser They’re still being sold because that aren’t marketed for children so young as to pick them up and swallow them. It sucks that happened but your sister probably shouldn’t have left her two year old alone with a bunch of small objects she could put in her mouth.

 

[jackaharts]

@usernamednameduser What would happen if someone had chewed an orbee up in pieces and then swallowed it? I'm curious