The Christmas toys emergency doctors don't want you to buy for children

Friday, 12 December 2025 09:57

Parents should stay clear of this "naughty list" if they want to avoid a visit to hospital this festive season.

Emergency department doctors are urging parents to avoid a "naughty list" of presents for children this Christmas.

E-scooters and toys containing magnets and button batteries are among the most hazardous, doctors from The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne warn.

While they may seem like great gifts, trauma surgeons say they can pose a serious safety risk in the hands of young kids.

Button batteries are often found in small toys or car keys, and are easily swallowed by a child.

The director of trauma at the RCH, Warwick Teague, says they can cause serious harm in just two hours.

"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.

Teague says other small items such as magnetic balls, often found in construction or sensory toys, can also be easily swallowed.

"Unfortunately, they're the perfect size and shape for a little one to put in their mouth. If swallowed, sometimes the magnets in these balls stick together inside children, twisting and causing holes or tears in the bowel," he said.

"They can make children dangerously sick and they're really difficult to remove."

Doctors are also warning parents to avoid e-scooters, pointing to a spike in serious injuries, such as broken bones, every Christmas from children riding the machines.

They should ensure toys meet Australian Safety standards and avoid buying cheap products sold in variety stores or online.

If you think your child has ingested a button battery or a magnet, call triple zero immediately, or head to your closest emergency department.

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