Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) issues safety alert to warn of the risks of water beads

The OPSS has issued a safety alert to warn of the risks that water beads pose to children and vulnerable adults.

The Safety Alert advises that water beads should be kept away from children under five, and only used with older children or vulnerable adults under close supervision. Water beads can expand up to 400 times when exposed to liquid. They are marketed for various purposes, including for use as toys and in crafting.

When swallowed, they expand and can block the gastrointestinal passage, potentially requiring surgery. They can also cause choking and have harmed children in the UK, with reports linking them to deaths overseas.

If it is suspected that a water bead has been swallowed, medical help should be sought immediately.

The safety alert can be found here: Product Safety Alert: Water Beads (PSA7) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)