But inside these new and exciting things also lie dangerous pieces parents and caregivers need to keep an eye on. Things such as batteries and magnets, both small and shiny, are potentially life-threatening objects.

Guidance for gift-giving

"In buying gifts for your kids, I'd look for toys that don't have parts that come apart. If they have a battery component, make sure it's screwed in," says Tinsley Anderson, MD, a pediatric surgeon with OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois. "That way you're not changing the battery, and, in a year from now, your kid probably won't want the toy anyway." 

The small, round batteries that come in kids’ toys are particularly problematic, Dr. Anderson says. She adds they can easily get stuck in the esophagus and cause a burn injury. When a kid swallows a battery like this, surgery is needed.

"Your mucus and moisture in your body completes the battery's circuit, so the battery is activated, causing an alkaline burn," Dr. Anderson says. “It causes a coagulative necrosis, which is when your tissue starts to dissolve. It can create holes, and when it heals, it can create narrowing that causes lifelong problems.”

Warning signs to look for

• Drooling
• Unable to swallow
• Unable to eat 
• Belly pain 
• If an item is missing and you think your child might have eaten it

"Things that are particularly concerning are if they're drooling, they can't swallow or eat. There can be items lodged in the airways that can be a surgical emergency. If they're having trouble swallowing, there can be things stuck in their esophagus that aren't getting past," Dr. Anderson says. 

Another potentially life-threatening danger in toys is magnets. They're shiny and can come in all sorts of colors, but Dr. Anderson says they can stick to each other once inside the abdomen and create holes from one side to the other. This can lead to surgery where a child can lose part of their intestine. 

When considering what to buy for a younger child, pay attention to the warning labels, which should indicate what ages are appropriate to play with the toy. A 2018 study by The Toy Association showed many parents ignore age labels on toys and for those who do read them, about 97% ignore them. The study points out crucial age labels are important for child safety and are based on a child’s developmental abilities.

If a child is choking, do the Heimlich maneuver to try and dislodge the item. Dr. Anderson still recommends taking your child to the emergency department afterward in case a piece of the item is still located in the body. Never just sweep your finger around in the child's mouth, as this can get the item stuck even more.

Water beads: Another concern

Over the last few years, Dr. Anderson says her colleagues across the country have come in contact with a newer toy that’s causing quite the commotion: water beads. They’re colorful, tiny and expand when exposed to water. If a water bead expands once it’s inside someone’s body, it can cause bowel obstruction, which leads to needing surgery as well.

If a child swallows a lithium or button battery, it’s best to call the nearest emergency department and let them know you’re taking your child there for a life-threatening emergency. All OSF HealthCare emergency departments offer X-ray services that will tell the medical team exactly what the item is and where it’s located. “A coin is much different than a button battery,” Dr. Anderson points out.

Read this patient story about how a child required life-saving surgery after swallowing a button battery.

Video Interview Clips

'Tis the season of sharing. Both gifts and germs. 

Right now, your child may be writing Santa Claus for gifts, some of which may include battery-powered items. 

However, these can pose health hazards to young children. 

An Illinois family issues a warning after their child swallowed a tiny lithium battery.

“She was struggling with something that was stuck in her esophagus and starting to show signs of discomfort and pain," says Joseph Mumbu, father of Liana Mumbu who swallowed a tiny lithium battery.

“Time is of the essence." emphasizes Dr. Daniel Robertson, a surgeon with OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois.

Quickly, Joseph rushed Liana to a hospital of Canton, Illinois. The team there quickly contacted the OSF Care-Hub, who alerted Dr. Robertson. 

An ambulance ride and a trip to the operating room at OSF Children's Hospital led to Dr. Robertson operating and saving Liana's life. 

Dr. Robertson emphasizes that saliva can cause an electrical current, burning the esophagus within two hours. Quick removal is crucial to prevent irreversible damage.

A year ago, an early season start to respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, prompted OSF OnCall to launch an at-home monitoring program for infants to 5-year-olds with the virus. 

RSV is the leading cause of hospitalizations for infants and children. 

Now, OSF has expanded the program to include remote monitoring and 24/7 support for all pediatric respiratory viruses.

“They love having support anytime in the day, however they want to do it – text message, phone call, anything. They can send us pictures. We've really kind of taken that to tailor what parents need to feel comfortable taking their children home, you know, from a clinic; from the hospital during the scary time," says Rose Smith, Clinical Digital Care Supervisor with OSF OnCall.

A medical provider must confirm a diagnosis and make a referral to the program. Call or visit your child's pediatrician to get started.

The National Safety Council says each year, more than 3,500 people swallow lithium batteries. 

Another big warning, don't induce vomiting but instead get to your nearest hospital emergency department.

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