Water beads are sold as tiny pellets which gradually expand when soaked in water. They are often used as sensory toys and more recently in pellet or water guns. They are small and colourful, making them attractive to toddlers and babies, who may instinctively put them in their mouth, says the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), which has put out the warning.
According to Ireland’s statutory body responsible for enforcing consumer protection, if swallowed, water beads can continue to expand, growing considerably larger than their original size, causing intestinal blockages that require medical intervention. The beads can also become lodged in a child’s ears or nose.
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