Issue
Health Canada is warning parents and caregivers about the risks of water beads. These tiny beads, also known as jelly beads, hydroorbs, crystalsoil, sensorybeads or orb beads, are water-absorbing gel beads that can grow up to 1,500 times their size when placed in water. Water beads can be very harmful if swallowed or put in the ears or nose. If ingested, water beads can continue to grow inside the body leading to potentially life-threatening injuries, such as intestinal or bowel obstruction.
What to do
Water beads and products containing them should be kept out of sight and reach of children; if you suspect that your child has ingested a water bead, call the Canadian Poison Centre hotline at 1-844-POISON-X (Quebec residents call 1-800-463-5060 to reach the Centre antipoison du Quebec).
Consult the public advisory for full details:Water beads may pose life-threatening risks to young children
