![Maine mom raises the alarm after her baby daughter nearly dies from swallowing a water bead](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/12/baby-split.jpg)
Maine mom raises the alarm after her baby daughter nearly dies from swallowing a water bead
Fox News
A Maine mom is speaking out after her infant daughter nearly died when she accidentally swallowed a water bead, a toy marketed for sensory play. Others sound the alarm as well.
Water beads were initially used as "agricultural products intended to maintain soil moisture," according to Poison.org, a website that tracks hazardous products. "The risks they pose to children of all ages, pets and the environment at large outweigh any perceived benefit they provide as a ‘sensory toy.’" "It happens so quickly that it is nearly impossible to prevent." "I have raised this matter with our chairman and agency career staff and hope the commission will act swiftly to ensure safety." "Some [water beads] can become the size of a tennis ball and cause a bowel obstruction. This can be life-threatening." Christine Rousselle is a lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital.
Florists also use them to keep floral arrangement hydrated; the beads are also used as fluid absorbers in products like diapers.
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