Don’t toy around
The bottom line
Some toys are dangerous when swallowed. Small toys are a choking hazard. Ingesting strong magnets or button batteries can cause damage to the digestive tract. Chemistry kits may contain chemicals that cause burns or systemic toxicity. Water beads and similar toys expand when swallowed leading to intestinal blockage and perforation. Lead may be present in painted toys from outside the US.
Prevention Tips
Store toys with small parts up, away, and out of sight of small children.
Store toys made for older children away from small children.
Follow age guidance on toy packaging.
Watch young children when they play to be sure they don’t put a toy or part of a toy in their mouth.
Choose battery-operated toys with battery cases that are secured with screws so children cannot open them.
Inspect toys to be sure children cannot access magnets inside them.
Check toys to be sure they are not damaged and that there are no loose or sharp parts.
Avoid painted toys from outside the US.
Check for non-toxic labels on toy packaging.
Immediately discard plastic wrapping and other packaging when the toy is opened.
This Really Happened
A 3-year-old girl ingested bead-shaped magnets. The next day, her mother brought her to the hospital with a complaint of abdominal pain. An X-ray showed 23 round magnets stuck together in her abdomen. Abdominal surgery was performed and found that the magnets were sticking together across the intestinal wall, causing tissue damage and perforation. The magnets were removed, and the tissue damage was repaired. She recovered and was able to eat on the fifth day and was discharged on the seventh day.
What toys are dangerous when swallowed?
Most small toys, including marbles, small Legos, small figurines, rocks and buttons, are a choking hazard when swallowed, especially for children under 3 years of age. Larger toys with parts that can break off, such as fidget spinners, are also a choking concern.
Many toys contain small, strong magnets which can be harmful if swallowed, especially if more than one magnet is ingested. The intestinal wall can become trapped between 2 magnets, leading to intestinal perforation and blockage.
Similarly, the button batteries in toys, remote controls, scales, flameless candles, flashing jewelry and watches can be very dangerous when swallowed, especially if the battery becomes stuck in the esophagus where it can cause burns within a short period of time. Batteries that get stuck and cause damage are most often the larger 20 mm diameter, 3V lithium coin cells.
Another hazardous toy is chemistry kits. Some of the chemicals in these kits can be toxic if ingested. Depending on the chemical, injuries ranging from burns in the mouth, throat, and esophagus to systemic toxicity after absorption of the chemical from the digestive tract are possible. Water beads, dehydrated sponges, and similar toys that expand when they absorb water are also dangerous. When swallowed, they can expand to many times larger than their original size in the stomach and intestinal fluid, leading to blockage and possibly perforation. Toys from outside the US may also be contaminated with lead paint.
Can toys damage a child’s intestinal system?
Yes, if the toy contains magnets, batteries, or water beads, damage to the child’s intestinal tract is possible. If your child ingests a plastic toy that is broken, sharp edges could cause internal injury to the esophagus, stomach and/or intestines. Some chemicals in chemistry kits may cause burns of the child’s digestive tract.
When to seek help
If your child ingests a small toy or small piece of a larger toy and is experiencing coughing or choking, you should seek help immediately. If your child develops any symptoms after ingesting a toy, seek help. If you are not sure whether or not your child should be seen by a healthcare professional, use the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool to get help or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether online or by phone, expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
