CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — While new toys bring excitement to many kids on Christmas, it can also bring some serious dangers.
OSF Healthcare warns of small items like button batteries and magnets, which are shiny and often easy to remove, this holiday season. They can be life-threatening if swallowed, says pediatric surgeon Dr. Tinsley Anderson of OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois. She urges parents to choose toys with secure parts and battery compartments that are screwed shut.
Button batteries are especially dangerous because they can burn tissue if lodged in the esophagus, often requiring surgery and causing long-term damage. Warning signs include drooling, trouble swallowing or eating, belly pain, or a missing toy piece.
Magnets pose another major risk. If swallowed, they can attract each other inside the body, creating holes in the intestines and leading to emergency surgery.
Parents should follow age warnings on toys, supervise young children, and seek immediate medical care if ingestion is suspected. If choking occurs, perform the Heimlich maneuver and still go to the emergency room, and never sweep a finger inside a child’s mouth.
Read OSF’s full press release here.