Holiday Hazards: Unsafe Toys and Accessories for Kids

During the holiday season, the list of presents to buy for family and friends seems to grow longer each year. However, doctors caution parents to be aware of certain unassuming toys and accessories that can lead to emergency room visits for babies and small children. Dr. Robert Kramer, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, emphasizes the importance of being vigilant throughout the year. Here are some of the most unsafe objects to avoid during the holidays and why parents should take extra precautions.

Protect Your Little Ones from Holiday Hazards

Button Batteries

Button cell and lithium coin cell batteries are small and commonly found in various items like watches, key fobs, and hearing aids. They look like round buttons or thinner discs with a higher voltage. If lodged in a child's throat, saliva triggers an electric current, causing a chemical burn that can severely damage the esophagus. Within just two hours of ingestion, it can lead to perforation, vocal cord paralysis, or airway erosion. A 2022 study shows that over 70,000 children went to the emergency room for swallowing batteries in the past decade, with button batteries accounting for nearly 85% of the visits. More than 84% of these patients were under 5 years old. In case a child swallows a button battery, experts recommend giving them two teaspoons of honey every 10 minutes on the way to the hospital to coat the throat and reduce the risk of serious injury. However, doctors typically advise babies under 1 to avoid honey due to the minor risk of botulism. After a child swallows a battery, it's important not to induce vomiting, give any medication, drink milk or water, or try the Heimlich maneuver.

Micro Magnets

These powerful magnets are often marketed as desk toys or fake jewelry for adults. They are mostly round and come in attractive colors, resembling candy. Most adult magnets are made of neodymium and are five times stronger than conventional magnets. If a child swallows one or more magnets, it becomes a health emergency. If one magnet shows up on an X-ray, the child may need to stay under hospital supervision. If two or more magnets show up, surgery may be required. Inside the body, the magnets can pull towards each other and cause damage by entrapping an intestine and causing organ damage, which can be very dangerous and even deadly. Between 2009 and 2011, about 1,700 hospital visits were due to swallowed magnets.

Water Bead Toys

Superabsorbent polymer beads, or water beads, are small and can grow to more than 100 times their size when exposed to water. They are known by various names like jelly beads and hydro orbs. An estimated 7,800 children went to the emergency room after ingesting water beads between 2016 and 2022. These beads often look like brightly colored, spherical gummies or character-shaped items like dinosaurs, which can be mistaken for food by a small child. Swallowing one of these toys causes a medical emergency as the beads grow and obstruct the gastrointestinal tract, creating a traffic jam. The small intestine, the narrowest part of the system, is at the greatest risk of obstruction and possible damage. In some cases, bowel injuries require surgery to remove the blocked part of the bowel. After such surgery, some patients may have lifelong consequences, such as needing to receive nutrition through an IV or having an ostomy. It's crucial to recognize the common signs of bowel obstruction, including belly pain, vomiting, and general discomfort.

Glass Ornaments, Tree Lights, and Tinsel

Babies and children can accidentally swallow shards of glass if they chew on ornaments or tree lights. Even swallowing LED lights, which are typically plastic, poses a risk as any sharp object can cause a hole in the bowel. When there is a hole in the intestine, stomach contents can leak into the abdominal cavity, leading to serious complications. In some cases, surgery is needed to remove the object before this happens. It's difficult to detect if a child has swallowed a tree ornament or light as they don't typically show up on X-rays. Therefore, it's essential to keep a close eye on crawling babies. Tinsel and decorative string can also cause choking or strangulation risks. Dr. Chris Ford, an emergency physician in Wisconsin, advises parents to ensure toys are age-appropriate and monitor younger children when they are in the same room with toys intended for older children. Vigilance is key during the holidays.