8 dangerous gifts that could be a nightmare this Christmas

Cheap gifts from unknown sellers on online marketplaces can come from anywhere in the world and can be dangerous.

Super-strong magnets can rip through your child’s belly. Easy-access button batteries can kill your child if swallowed. Dangerous electrical goods can start a fire in your home.

Find out which products could be dangerous and how to shop safely.

1. Cheap copies of popular toys

When you type in the brand name you want, cheaper copycat options often come up. It’s definitely tempting when money is tight.

But is it a real bargain? Or could it put your child at risk?

Sadly, cheap copies may have cheap parts that break easily, easy-access button batteries, high-strength magnets or harmful levels of chemicals. The danger isn’t always obvious.

Under 3s are most at risk. So it’s better to buy a smaller present than a cheap copy.

Discover more recalled toys here

2. Electric scooters, hoverboards and e-bikes

Emergency doctors are worried about the increasing number of children they’re seeing with devastating injuries from e-scooter accidents. Their high speed, coupled with zero protection for children, are causing life-altering head injuries and even death.

Plus, the lithium-ion batteries that power electric scooters, hoverboards and e-bikes can start explosive fires that spread quickly and are difficult to put out.

If they’re cheap copies, and not trusted brands, they could be extremely dangerous. In fact, many have been recalled from sale.

So if you’re going to buy these products please shop with reputable retailers and manufacturers, and only use manufacturer recommended batteries and chargers.

And remember, e-scooters are illegal to use in public spaces, including roads and pavements, for a reason.

Learn more about the dangers and how to reduce the fire risk

3. Easy-access button batteries

Button batteries can badly hurt or kill a small child if swallowed. Yet they will be found under almost every tree this Christmas. Watch out for easily-accessible button batteries in:

Cheap toys from unknown sellers online.

Light-up decorations, singing Santas and flashing wands.

Gifts for pets, older children and adults.

Plus, watch out for spare button batteries that may be loose in the packaging. Be sure to keep them in a secure place out of children’s reach until they’re needed.

If you bring any button battery powered items into your home, please remember to check the battery compartment is secured with a screw or similar fastener to prevent children gaining access. If it isn’t secure, please keep it out of reach of children.

Read our top tips for button battery safety

4. Water beads

With their bright colours and squishy feel, water beads are especially appealing to young children. But they can be really dangerous if swallowed.

As they bathe in stomach fluids, they can expand to many times their original size, posing a serious risk of blockage in a child’s bowel.

So, please don’t buy water beads for children under 5.

If older children are using water beads, use a large tub with plenty of free space so stray beads can’t escape onto the floor. And make sure all beads are safely cleared away after use to prevent little ones getting their hands on them.

Learn more about the dangers of water beads

5. Magnetic toys

High-strength magnets can rip through a child’s gut if swallowed, causing very serious and even life-threatening injuries.

Yet many cheaper magnetic toys from unknown sellers online can be far too strong to be safe. And may not come with safety warnings. Many have been recalled.

That’s why we recommend buying any magnetic toys from a reputable retailer or a brand name you know, so you can be more confident in their safety.

And remember, it’s not just small children at risk. Many older children have accidentally swallowed magnets after popping an item in their mouth or using the magnets to create fake piercings.

Please teach older children about the dangers of putting magnets in or near their mouths and remind them to keep magnets away from younger brothers and sisters.

Learn more about the dangers of magnets

6. Baby sleep products

It can be really tricky to know what to buy the baby in your life for their first Christmas. But it’s really important to avoid these dangerous sleep products.

While hug pillows look cute and cuddly, they can cause a baby to overheat or suffocate. Lullaby Trust recommend that pillows should not be used for babies until they are at least 12 months old.

Likewise, sleep bags can look very cosy and inviting but many sold online have been recalled as they present a serious risk of suffocation, overheating and death.

Sleep bags should be well fitted, (think neck and arm holes that fit well) so that your baby can’t wriggle down inside. And avoid any sleep bags with hoods or head coverings.

Learn more about dangerous baby products

7. Slime

Slime is great fun, if you can handle the mess. But some slime products for sale online contain an unpleasant surprise – high doses of harmful chemicals.

The slimes pictured have been recalled because they contain excess amounts of boron. Exposure to this can cause irritation, diarrhoea, vomiting and cramps and may damage a child’s reproductive system.

If slime is on your Christmas shopping list, please buy from reputable brand names and retailers and avoid shopping with unknown sellers online.

Discover more recalled slimes

8. Laser pointers

Cats go wild for them, kids love them and they’re cheap and small enough to be the perfect stocking filler. But a powerful laser pointer shone into a child’s eye can cause permanent sight loss.

There are no treatments that work once the damage is done. And it happens so fast even your blink reflex doesn’t protect you.

The law says that laser pointers sold in the UK must be safe. But there are so many dangerous, cheap laser pointers that you can buy in markets or online. And it’s impossible to tell if they are safe or not as false labelling is a real problem.

So our advice is: Lose the lasers from your Christmas shopping list.