A concerned mother has issued an urgent warning to parents after her three-year-old son, William, was rushed toAccident & Emergency (A&E) after swallowing two magnets from a popular viral toy. The incident occurred while William was playing with magnetic blocks, inspired by the video game Minecraft, shortly before returning to preschool.

Blossom, William's mother, only became aware of the situation when she heard her son spluttering. She quickly took him to the nearest hospital, where he underwent several tests, including an X-ray, which confirmed the presence of the two small magnets inside his body.

Photo Credit: The Irish Sun

Blossom admitted she was initially unaware of the severe dangers associated with swallowing multiple magnets. Doctors explained that if multiple magnets are ingested, they can attract each other through different parts of the digestive tract. This can lead to a critical situation where blood supply is cut off, potentially causing perforations to the intestine and bowel, resulting in life-threatening damage and, in some tragic cases, fatal injuries.

Fortunately for William, the X-ray revealed that the magnets had already passed his stomach, meaning the safest course of action was to wait for them to pass naturally. Although a follow-up X-ray was needed the next day due to initial concerns, it ultimately showed that the magnets were no longer in his system, much to the relief of his family.

Photo Credit: BBC News

Blossom is now sharing her experience to urge other parents to be vigilant. "We are so lucky that our little boy didn't have any lasting damage to his insides," she stated. She emphasized the importance of checking toys thoroughly and understanding the potential dangers, asserting that knowing what to do in an emergency is as crucial as preventing accidents. Even as her son approaches four years old and choking hazards seemed less of a threat, this incident served as a stark reminder to always remain cautious.

Her warning resonated with others, with one commenter expressing fear of not knowing if such an event occurred. Blossom clarified that she only knew because William gagged and then told her what he had done. Others echoed the sentiment about the necessity of checking toy certifications, such as CE or UKCA marks, to ensure safety, a point Blossom conceded she had not considered before.