Question about Aqua Dots - they aren't made to be eaten, right?

[Beaverhausen]

Now don't get me wrong, I know kids eat things they shouldn't and all toys for kids should be safe. Don't get on me about that.

But I am not familiar with this toy as I have no small kids, and I'm just curious. They are more of an art toy, right?

[Warpy]

1. Infants and toddlers put everything into their mouths

because that's the only place where full nerve development has taken place.

Yes, it's an art toy. Yes, the kids are going to miss the "art" and just suck on the plastic.

That plastic is what is making them sick.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. As a general rule, don't eat art supplies.

And keep an eye on your kids.

That said, it depends on the marketing. Often kids art supplies say things like "non-toxic" and such for a reason. Whether or not aqua dots were marketed as non-toxic, I don't know.

The chemical used in aqua dots is commonly used in plastics and fibers. Spandex, for instance.

Calling it a "date rape drug" is just sensationalism.

[tammywammy]

6. Sensationalism in the media?

You don't say, I've never heard of that before. :)

It sounds tragic, but at the same time a 2 year old swallowed them. I have to wonder where the parents were, everyone knows that toddlers put everything in their mouths.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. It also says for ages 4+ on the toy.

I'm just saying...

[tammywammy]

9. I've never seen or heard of these before

But really, any child doing arts & crafts need to be supervised continually. I remember us all getting smacked b/c we were "tasting" the glue and home made play dough.

edited to add: and by smacked I mean a tap on the hand.

[Beerboy]

15. Where did you see that? n/t.

[tammywammy]

21. here you go

http://www.asontv.com/kids-and-toys/aqua-dots-superstudio.html

[Beerboy]

30. Thanks for the link;

it's a crappy pic though, it doesn't clearly show how much date-rape drugs I'm supposed to give my kids every day.

[Arkansas Granny]

29. That doesn't mean that a 4 year old won't ever put the toy in

his/her mouth or that there might be a younger child in the home that might come in contact with the toy or its components.

[jayfish]

31. I Know Your Not Arguing For Aqua Dots...

but what about the potential for cross-contamination? You have to get the beads wet so the transmission of a toxic substance to fingers then to another surface or to a child's mouth would be pretty easy. ...regardless of age.

Jay

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

37. That depends on the concentration.

We're talking about kids who swallowed the aqua dots, there's no way to know if cross contamination is dangerous based on that.

We're not all dead due to spandex poisoning, so I don't think it's an issue.

[jayfish]

39. Actually, I Am Dead From Spandex Poisoning.

:7

Jay

[Clark2008]

22. Worn out from working two jobs and getting stiffed on tips from

presidential candidates who really don't care.

:)

Seriously, you can't watch them like hawks 24x7 - you can try, but they're clever little things. ;)

[tammywammy]

24. I know

I'm not trying to blame the parents, obviously if it can put a child in a coma it's not something that anyone needs.

[Clark2008]

26. Goes to prove that China really doesn't need an army -

they'll just poison us all to death.

[tammywammy]

34. Indeed

While I don't have children (yet), all these recalls actually make me glad I don't. It's got to be rough when you don't know what's good and what's not with these toy recalls every couple of days.

And really, now it'll be extra hard for me to buy for my little nephews.

[Arkansas Granny]

32. I don't know if you have children or not, but it is nearly impossible

to monitor every move that a child makes even if you are the most diligent parent.

[tammywammy]

35. Oh, I know

I'm not trying to blame the parents.

[Dollface]

10. Whatever you call it, the kid was comatose for 6 hours. Makes a little Elmer's glue seem nutritious.

And even if you keep a close watch on your kids, toddlers have the ability to find things on a floor or in a carpet that an adult couldn't find with a flashlight and a magnifying glass.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

11. Yes, and some kids poke their eyes out with scissors.

This is a good reason why parents should be careful with children, especially around art supplies.

[Dollface]

13. It is easy to see the danger of scissors but beads... not so much.

[tammywammy]

14. Beads up the nose and can be choked on n/t

[Dollface]

16. Bead size is a factor that is true.

[tammywammy]

17. I put it with kids and pennies

They're headed straight into the nose or throat, neither good.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

38. Sorry, no.

I don't think parents should assume that little plastic art supply beads are edible.

Also strange berries, paints, and household cleaners.

[Pithlet]

25. It's also put children in the hospital already.

It's not sensational to claim it's poison. And there shouldn't be poison on toys meant for four years and up, even if they aren't meant to be eaten.

[Arkansas Granny]

28. Even if you keep an eye on your kids there is no excuse for a

manufacturer to use potentially toxic substances on toys. Apparently these Aqua Dots are bead-like objects that are placed in a grid and fused together to form a solid object. Even if the toy was used correctly by the age group it is intended for it would be quite possible for one of these beads to fall on the floor and escape detection and subsequently be swallowed by a baby or toddler. A lot of responsibility for child safety rests with the parent, but the manufacturer bears the responsibility for the safety of the product.

[Beerboy]

3. Apparently they are now;

it's all over YouTube!:spank:

[Donnachaidh]

4. doesn't keep kids from eating them though

They are an art toy, but kids put supplies in their mouths. :shrug:

[MiniMe]

5. Kids eat paste. Think about it, all they would have to do is have their hands wet

and touch the beads, I assume that although they would get a smaller dose, the coating could still come off and be ingested.

[tammywammy]

7. mmm, Elmer's Glue and Playdough

A staple in every 5 year olds diet. :)

[Akoto]

20. Play-doh was a delicacy in my younger years. Especially red. n/t

[soothsayer]

36. That paste with the built in stick in the lid was the best!! Playdoh is too salty.

[nonconformist]

12. Kids put shit in their mouths... and not just toddlers

Older kids do it too. Why, I don't know... I guess because they can. But kids do weird shit - ask me how I know.

[Dollface]

19. How do you know?

:D

[malta blue]

18. My 8 y/o daughter really wanted these toys, and I know

she would not put it in her mouth, BUT, if my little 10 lb dog, for instance, decided to chew on one, as she does most things, it could be quite dangerous.

Another concern of mine is what if it were to rupture and a kid didn't wash his/her hands. Kids are constantly putting their fingers in their mouths - as are most adults.

No Aqua-Dots for Little MB this year...although she pointed out that Santa and the Elves would not put poison in HER Aqua-Dots so everything would be fine, right Mommy?

[scorpiogirl]

23. My 6 year old stuck one in her mouth shortly after I told her

they were bad and I would have to take them away. Needless to say, they are all gone, forever.

On another note, our dog was behaving extremely strangely one morning and now my husband thinks she may have eaten a bunch. She wet our bed and was having trouble keeping her eyes open and staying sitting upright. It didn't last long and she's fine now. Weird though.

[malta blue]

27. Poor dog...I am glad she is okay

That is my biggest fear about them. I have a small rat terrier who will chew on anything she can find.

[scorpiogirl]

40. Thanks. I don't know if that's what she ate, but...

might be a good explanation at this point. My dog is 45 lbs. and mostly out of that chewing stage now. My shoes and carpet are very happy!

[gollygee]

33. I am so glad I didn't buy those things

Poison!

My 5-year-old has been wanting them. No, they're not supposed to be eaten, but I know that anything that size and shape is likely to be poured into teacups and used as tea. I don't think she'd eat them regardless - it's a pretend thing - but something might end up in her mouth and she certainly could accidentally swallow something. Also, if water makes them stick together I don't think she'd be able to keep herself from experimenting with them by licking them or something. Kids don't understand the idea that a toy might be poisonous so they aren't on alert.