A new set of requirements for a very young child’s toy has been revealed.
According to Yahoo News, new guidelines for water beads—small pellets that swell when exposed to water—were authorized by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Squishy beads are a common sensory play toy for toddlers, but they can be harmful if ingested or lodged in a child’s nose or ear.
Certain toy versions have the ability to grow 100 times their original size, and if consumed, they can also grow within the body.
It is predicted that between 2017 and 2022, the toy was involved in over 6,000 events that required ER care.
According to Yahoo News, at least one 10-month-old girl’s death was documented in 2023.According to CBS, a toddler needed urgent surgery.She experienced intestinal blockage earlier this year as a result of ingested water beads.
In addition to restricting the use of chemicals that cause cancer and mandating warning labels on all water bead toys, the new regulations set a maximum size for all toys sold in the US.
Click here to view the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s complete notice.
