Doctors warn about the Christmas gifts sending kids to emergency departments

DOCTORS at The Royal Children’s Hospital are urging parents to think twice about some popular Christmas gifts, warning they are seeing serious and preventable injuries in children.

The warning was issued as emergency and trauma teams prepare for a seasonal spike in injuries during the Christmas period.

RCH director of trauma Dr Warwick Teague said hospital staff brace each year for incidents linked to toys and ride-on gifts that may appear harmless but can cause significant internal injuries.

“No parent wants to spend Christmas Day in the Emergency Department, but not everyone knows just how dangerous some of these toys can be,” Dr Teague said.

He said small items commonly found in toys and household products were among the most serious risks for young children.

“A button battery creates a chemical reaction and electrical charge between the walls of a child’s oesophagus or swallowing tube, which can fry that tube, causing serious bleeding,” he said.

Other small items, including magnetic components found in some toys, can also be extremely dangerous if ingested.

Teague said magnets could stick together inside a child’s body, twisting the bowel and causing holes or tears that can make children dangerously ill and difficult to treat.

Doctors are also warning parents to carefully consider ride-on gifts, with e-scooters again singled out as a cause of serious injuries over the Christmas period.

“Every Christmas our teams brace for a spike in serious injuries from children who should not be riding e-scooters,” Dr Teague said.

Doctors are urging parents to check that toys meet Australian safety standards and to avoid items that are poorly made, brittle or easily pulled apart.

“We should never assume that all toys for sale are safe,” Dr Teague said.

Parents are advised to seek urgent medical attention if they suspect a child has swallowed a button battery, magnet or other foreign object.

More information on toy safety is available at rch.org.au/kidsinfo/