Babies have died or needed emergency surgery to remove water beads, which are candy-colored toy balls that can grow up to 100X their original size in water.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Water Beads induced injury cases in all 50 states. If your child was injured, needed surgery, or died after swallowing water beads, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
UPDATE: Target, Amazon, Walmart Stop Selling Water Bead Toys for Children
In December 2023, major retailers Target, Amazon, and Walmart said they would stop selling water bead toys marketed toward children after safety officials called for a nationwide ban on the products.
“Amazon will no longer allow the sale of water beads that are marketed to children, including as toys, art supplies or for sensory play,” a spokesperson for the company told Consumer Reports.
The popular water bead toy Orbeez and water beads that are sold as ammunition for gel blaster guns will not be allowed if they are marketed for children, according to Amazon.
Target Recalls Water Beads After Baby Death Reported
In September 2023, safety officials and Target issued a recall for about 52,000 Chuckle & Roar Ultimate Water Beads Activity Kits.
What Happened?
There was one report of a 10-month-old baby who died after swallowing the recalled water beads in July 2023 in Wisconsin.
There was also another report of a 9-month-old baby who was seriously injured and needed emergency surgery in November 2022 in Maine. The baby swallowed a water bead which caused a life-threatening intestinal obstruction that required surgery.
The water bead activity kits contain about 10,000 water beads, including “jumbo”-size beads, which can cause severe injuries or death if they are swallowed. According to the recall:
“If a water bead is ingested, it expands and can pose ingestion, choking and intestinal obstruction hazards inside a child’s body, resulting in severe discomfort, vomiting, dehydration and a risk of death to a child.”
The recall involves Chuckle & Roar Ultimate Water Beads Activity Kits, which were sold exclusively at Target stores nationwide between March 2022 and November 2022.
Water Balz, Skulls, Orbs Recalled After Baby Needs Emergency Surgery
In December 2012, Dunecraft Inc. recalled about 94,700 water balls toys after an 8-month-old girl from Humble, Texas, swallowed a Water Balz and suffered an intestinal obstruction in August 2011. The Water Balz had to be surgically removed.
The recall involves Water Balz, Growing Skulls, H2O Orbs “Despicable Me” and Fabulous Flowers toys that were sold from September 2010 through November 2012.
What Are Water Beads?
Water beads are small, super water-absorbent toy balls that grow significantly larger when they are exposed to water. Unfortunately, they can also grow much larger inside the body if they are swallowed.
What is the Problem?
Water beads are usually brightly-colored like candy, squishy, small, and easy to lose. They are tempting to swallow, which presents a serious safety hazard for young children. They also easily scatter, roll, and become lost, which adds another level of danger. Older children may find a water bead and bring it home.
Water Beads Cause Thousands of ER Visits Per Year
Safety officials have warned schools, camps, and childcare centers to avoid using water bead products entirely because they are so dangerous. “Water beads are associated with thousands of emergency-department visits every year,” according to the CPSC.
Why Are Water Beads So Dangerous?
Water beads are extremely dangerous for children. They pose a choking hazard and can expand inside the body, causing a life-threatening intestinal blockage that requires emergency surgery.
Kids have put water beads in their ears, up their nose, and inhaled them, resulting in hearing loss, lung damage, and other injuries.
Water beads are not visible on X-rays, so even if a child is showing symptoms of discomfort, doctors may not realize what is causing the problem unless a parent suspects that a water bead is involved.
Signs & Symptoms a Child Swallowed a Water Bead
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Refusing to eat
- Lack of bowel movements
- Tiredness
- Drooling
- Irritability in a young child or infant
- And more
Where Do I Find Water Beads?
Water beads were originally used by florists and gardeners to be used in flower arrangements or potted plants. Now, they are commonly marketed as children’s toys — despite the life-threatening safety risk.
Other names for water beads include “sensory beads,” jelly beads, hydro orbs, crystal soil, or gel beads. They can be found in baby diapers, adult incontinence garments, menstrual pads, home décor, gardening supplies, or crafting kits for children.
Do I have a Water Beads Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Water Beads induced injury cases in all 50 states. If your child was injured, needed surgery, or died after swallowing water beads, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
