Mum issues URGENT WARNING after she discovered a HORRIFYING find in her kids’ bath toys that could pose serious health problems
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A mum has called on authorities to inspect some bath toys after she noticed that black spots started floating in the bathtub when her kids were playing with the toy.
The horrified woman, who wished to remain anonymous, issued an urgent warning, informing parents and authorities of the horrendous discovery.
“We noticed some black spots in the water when our kids were playing with these bath squirters... they were only a couple of months old and we emptied them after every bath,” she explained.
The toy was meant to be filled with water and squeezed to "squirt" the water back out, prompting the mum to check the toy from the inside.
The Aussie mother's intuition was devastatingly correct when she found black mould growing inside the toy upon cutting it.
A mum discovered a black mould buildup in her kids’ bath toys after a close inspection. Credit: CPR Kids.
CPR Kids shared the warning, with a group of nurses commenting on the health risks of the horrifying find.
The group wrote: “Check your bath toys. It’s a great reminder of how quickly and fiercely mould can grow, even if you clean or empty toys as best you can after baths."
“Kids are kids, they get exposed to all sorts of germs and bacteria - we can’t wrap them in bubble wrap. But constant exposure to mould - especially if you have littlies who love to drink bathwater like it’s soup - can be dangerous."
“Opt for bath toys that don’t retain water - there are many options that can also be pulled apart and washed in the dishwasher, and left to dry between uses.”
A similar report was released in November 2020 when a Melbourne microbiologist Dr Cameron Jones explained how this type of bath toys can house hidden fungi, yeasts, and bacteria as the cheap plastic in them serves as a food source for the microbes and the conditions — warm, humid bathroom environment — where these toys are kept are favourable for microbial growth.
The expert said that these elements could lead to infections — eyes, ears, and skin — allergies, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
Dr Cameron Jones warned parents about the potential health risks of keeping bath toys with microbe buildup. Credit: Tran, Cindy/Dr Cameron Jones/Facebook.
Dr Jones said: “Bath time wouldn’t be the same without a rubber duck. For children, the main attraction of a scrub in the tub is the chance to play with rubber or plastic bath toys, watching them bob amongst the bubbles and submerge amongst the suds.”
“But beneath the cheery exterior of bright wide eyes and chirpy beak exists a hidden danger - one that could make you or your children very unwell.”
Dr Jones' study unveiled the "startling" findings that a significant build-up of mould-like gunk known as biofilm can be found in these toys.
“Biofilms are, in fact, a whole host of different microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and mould, that stick to each other and form a slimy substance to help them survive and multiply,” the expert explained.
“What’s shocking is that this is not just a one-off or a particularly old toy. The research found that 70 per cent of bath toys contained the same black, slimy biofilm, and it could potentially be very harmful.”
The microbiologist advised that parents should disinfect the toys and plug up their open holes with a glue gun to prevent microbes from growing inside them.
“It is still worth being vigilant, and maintaining a routine of drying the toys after use, boiling them, and then using a disinfectant product on them will help to ensure they stay clean and safe,” he said.
For those who are living with your grandkids, we encourage you to check their bath toys and properly discard those that have mould build-up in them.
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