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Walmart, Amazon, and Target to Stop Selling Dangerous Water Bead Toys
December 13, 2023
Walmart will stop selling dangerous water bead toys effective immediately due to health risks. Swallowing water beads poses an immense health risk to young children. The beads are colorful, water-absorbing balls that can balloon in size when exposed to water, reports CNN.
Water beads reportedly aid children with their fine motor skills and counting. But, when exposed to liquid, they can expand to 100 times their initial size and weight, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. If ingested, the beads can lead to choking, internal injuries, and even death if left undetected.
Water beads can cause severe discomfort, vomiting, dehydration, intestinal blockages, and life-threatening injuries, the CPSC said. Surgery may be needed to remove beads stuck within the body. Inserting the beads into ears can damage the structure of the ears, causing hearing loss and requiring surgery.
This holiday season, "Parents and teachers should not buy water beads, and if they already own them, throw them away," says @WWconsumer, associate director of safety policy at CR.
— Consumer Reports (@ConsumerReports) December 5, 2023
Learn more about the dangers of water beads at https://t.co/nbmmKHfq0R. pic.twitter.com/BZaCLefTG6
Amazon confirmed that the company would remove listings for water beads if they refer to or include images of children using them as toys, sensory play, or arts and crafts. “In the interest of safety, Amazon will no longer allow the sale of water beads marketed to children, including as toys, art supplies or for sensory play,” a company spokesperson said per CNN.
The statement continued, noting that, as a company, Amazon works hard to ensure the products it offers are safe. The retailer assured customers that there are teams “dedicated to developing and updating” its policies and listings and preventing unsafe and noncompliant products from being listed on its site.
Consumer Reports shared a statement from Target about the problematic child’s toys, which said that the company’s top priority is consumer safety. It appeared dedicated to no longer selling water beads marketed to children ages 12 and under. Target will remove the items from store shelves and online listings within a week.
Emergency departments throughout the United States reported an estimated 7,800 water bead injuries between 2016 and 2022, the CPSC said.
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