An alert has been issued warning parents and childcare settings to keep water beads away from children under 5 years old. <br />The warning comes following action by the Office of Product Safety and Standards to remove unsafe water beads from the market. <br />The Child Accident Prevention Trust said: "With their bright colours and squishy feel, water beads are especially appealing to young children. When dry, water beads are tiny and can easily be swallowed without detection. <br />"As they bathe in stomach fluids, some can expand to 400 times their original size, posing a serious risk of blockage in a child’s bowel. <br />"There is also a risk of inhalation causing coughing or choking." <br />Video credit: Child Accident Prevention Trust
