Fears of a children’s toy that “multiplies” in water

Children learned about the game in schools and took it home. Photography: Mustafa Qasimi

Citizens and residents expressed their fears about the spread of a game among their children, in the form of a gelatinous ball that could split into about 30 balls if placed in water, explaining that “our children learned about this game in their schools, and subsequently they took it home, as it poses a danger to their lives.” Especially if they swallow one of the balls, because it could split in their stomachs. Because this ball splits in the wet place.

Meanwhile, the head of the Public Safety Department at Dubai Municipality, Sultan Al Suwaidi, said, “It is strictly forbidden to allow the sale of small toys that are easy for children to swallow, or that cause any change in size if placed in water.” He added, “It is also forbidden to sell any toys that are included in water.” “The manufacture of gelatinous materials, petroleum derivatives, or prohibited colors.”

Stressing that “such toys are prohibited from being traded in the markets, and if they are caught, their seller will be punished,” warning parents against allowing their children to buy such toys, demanding that they quickly report any place that promotes them. Dr. Mona Al-Rifai, pediatrician at Al-Noor Hospital, warned against using these toys. Because it is made of dangerous chemicals, as evidenced by the fact that it “multiplies” when placed in a moist environment, “and if a child swallows it, it will certainly lead to bad consequences, as it leads to an intestinal obstruction.”

One of the mothers, Umm Hussein, told Emirates Al-Youm, “My daughter brought from a classmate of hers two jelly balls, one blue, and the other the color of transparent egg albumen, which is closer to gelatin. She told me that the egg was divided into parts, but because she was busy… “You didn’t pay attention to it.” She added, “My fear was doubled when I found my daughter interested in this ball, and I began to imagine what would happen if one of my young children swallowed it, and what would be the consequences for them?”

Umm Hussein indicated that she “discovered that the ball was divided into dozens of balls, and her child was putting the balls in a transparent cup of water, and after two days had passed, one ball “multiplied” to become more than 30 balls, noting that she “contacted the school administration and told her about the game that was widespread among the children.” “After they got to know her during the school year.”

Another mother called Umm Abdullah mentioned, “I saw two balls stuck together, one blue and the other white, and my daughter was telling me, ‘Look, this is Baby.’ Two days later, I found large numbers of balls. I asked my daughter, ‘Did she bring new balls?’ She told me, ‘The ball was born.’” .

The mother explained her fears, saying, “If I left my daughter with the maid, and she swallowed this ball, what would happen to her? It would “multiply” inside her stomach and lead to stomach obstruction. After that, I prevented my daughter from touching these balls, because they are definitely composed of chemicals.”

Al-Rifai explained that “the ball becomes more dangerous if it lands in the lungs, because it will create problems, such as shortness of breath, the need for endoscopy, and the difficulty of getting rid of this foreign body.” She noted that these balls are chemical substances, used to color roses, and it is not permissible to play with them. Because it contributes to teaching children false concepts: (Put her in the water and she will give birth).”

She stressed that “these games, which represent the amazement of discovery, are nothing but a wrong concept, used by children, and even passed on among themselves, under the illusion of discovery, so parents’ monitoring is a safety valve to protect their children.”