Some New Year's gifts can be life-threatening.
This warning was issued by representatives of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM).
According to the agency, items that pose a threat include those containing hydrogel beads, batteries and super-strong magnets.
A specially issued leaflet from the college states that the items in question are dangerous to both children and adults if swallowed.
Balls
As for hydrogel balls, they are small, soft and usually brightly colored lumps sold as anti-stress toys.
They are also sold as decorative elements or as vase fillers.
When in contact with liquid, they can grow up to 400 times in size, making them dangerous.
Doctors say that swallowed balls are not visible on X-rays, which makes diagnosis difficult.
As a result, intestinal obstruction is possible, which may require medical surgery.
Magnets
Batteries and super-strong magnets pose no less of a risk if swallowed, according to RCEM.
Such items, experts note, may end up in New Year's gifts.
If swallowed, they can cause serious health consequences and will likely require surgery.
Doctors say super-powerful magnets can stick together in the intestines and cause damage in just a few hours.
However, according to doctors, symptoms may only appear weeks later. As a result, an urgent operation is required.
Batteries
Batteries, especially flat ones, can become lodged in the esophagus and cause serious tissue damage due to a chemical reaction.
Please note: Many severe poisonings are associated with batteries swallowed by children without anyone noticing.
For this reason, diagnosis and, accordingly, treatment are significantly delayed.
In connection with the above, doctors ask parents to carefully choose New Year's gifts, remembering how dangerous some of them can be.
