Pediatrician warns parents to avoid gifting kids this toy during the holidays

By Michael Lee Simpson

A Florida pediatrician has warned parents of the one "nightmare" toy they should never gift their children this holiday season - tiny magnet sets.

Dr. Laura Steelman, 48, of Bluebird Kids Health in Jacksonville, Fla., says multiple swallowed magnets can become trapped inside a child’s digestive tract with “grim results."

She urges parents to stay vigilant at gatherings where adults are often distracted and assume “someone else is watching."

She recommends designating an adult to watch toddlers, removing choke hazards from meals, and keeping decorations and alcohol out of reach.

With careful planning, she says, parents can ensure a safe and joyful holiday without sacrificing the season’s magic.

“I think the toy that gives most pediatricians nightmares are the small collections of magnets that they often market as fidget toys,” she said, pointing to products like Crags Magnetic Putty by Speks.

"Aside from the choke hazard aspect, an even more serious likelihood is that the child will eat multiple small magnets, which can then attract and adhere to each other from different parts of the digestive tract," she said.

"The tissue between them is crushed and the magnets can't move, with grim results."

Another concern of hers is button batteries.

“Be especially careful of toys or remotes with button (small, flat or coin-shaped) batteries,” she said.

“Pediatricians dread them, for your child's sake.

"They look shiny and inviting to toddlers, but are extremely dangerous if eaten: they react with the moisture in the digestive system and cause chemical burns that continue to spread even after the battery is removed."

She added: "Every Christmas there are more than three thousand swallowed button battery hospitalizations in our country.”

Dr. Steelman encourages parents to become vigilant during the holiday season.

“All parents know how inventive toddlers can be at getting into potentially dangerous situations,” she said.

“Seasonal festivities bring their own set of potential hazards for little ones, but you can still enjoy a happy and beautiful holiday season if parents anticipate them and take care to avoid them.”

Her number one rule: keep your eyes on them.

"The most important thing to remember is that close supervision is key,” Dr. Steelman said.

“This is always true, but is especially important in two places: The kitchen, where hot and sharp things are everywhere and the cook is often busy and rushed."

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She added: "During parties, when adults get a false sense of security that the child is surrounded by other adults, but forget that most of them are distracted with celebrating.”

To help, she suggests assigning one adult at a gathering to specifically monitor the youngest children — and making that person easy to spot.

“Designate an adult to specifically watch the small children at parties; this role can be rotated hourly,” she said.

“That adult should be marked out — for example, with a holiday themed hat —so children can locate them quickly if they need help."

Gifts are another area where holiday excitement can overshadow potential dangers.

Dr. Steelman urges parents to think beyond what will make their toddler smile in the moment.

“Avoid toys with small parts. Anything small enough to fit through a toilet paper tube is a possible choke hazard,” she said, adding that older kids’ toys should be kept far out of reach.

Holiday meals — a centerpiece of many celebrations — also pose risks to little ones eager to participate.

Steelman advises parents to eliminate hazardous foods completely rather than relying on supervision.

“Eliminate choke hazard foods from the menu,” she said.

“These are foods that are small, round, hard, and/or sticky (such as whole grapes, cherry tomatoes, nuts, popcorn, and candies)."

She added: "Skip them during the toddler years, or keep them up and out of reach.”

Alcohol at parties can be another hidden danger.

“During parties, clear away abandoned alcoholic drink glasses immediately," Dr. Steelman said.

"Children will often try them, and even small amounts of alcohol can be toxic to them.”

Even decorations require planning when toddlers are in the house. Dr. Steelman warns families to think carefully about what they’re putting within arm’s reach.

“Mistletoe and holly are pretty decorations, but are poisonous if eaten; keep them up and out of reach,” she said.

For Christmas trees, she recommends barriers, sturdy stands, and creative alternatives — even transforming a child’s play teepee into a safe, festive focal point.

Above all, Steelman says, parents shouldn’t worry that safety precautions will dampen the magic of the season.

“A toddler-safe holiday can still be beautiful and joyous with a little forethought,” she said. “A safe, healthy child should be the centerpiece of your winter celebrations.”