Christmas is creeping ever closer, and if you're anything like us, you probably still have a few presents left to buy.

However, if any of those gifts are for children, a warning has been issued for parents to avoid getting any of these items - including some that could potentially be deadly.

According to the Child Accident Prevention Trust, these are the items you should never gift a child in order to prevent any unexpected trips to the ER, or - at the worst - even cause death.

Toys with magnets

One of the most dangerous items the trust warns against is anything with small, strong magnets, which may look innocuous but could actually cause serious injury or death.

It explained: "High-strength magnets can rip through a child’s gut if swallowed, causing very serious and even life-threatening injuries.

"Yet many cheaper magnetic toys from unknown sellers online can be far too strong to be safe. And may not come with safety warnings. Many have been recalled."

If you really want to buy any magnetic toys for a child, they recommend only purchasing from a reputable retailer or a trusted brand name as they are more likely to be safer than buying from a cheaper or unknown source online, which may not be made to such high standards.

They also warned that it's not just small children that are at risk of serous injuries or death from magnets, as many older children have accidentally swallowed magnets after putting them in their mouths or using them to create fake piercings.

It added: "Please teach older children about the dangers of putting magnets in or near their mouths and remind them to keep magnets away from younger brothers and sisters."

Anything with small batteries that can be easily accessed

Another thing that could seriously ruin Christmas is anything with small button batteries that can be easily accessed.

The trust warned: "Button batteries can badly hurt or kill a small child if swallowed. Yet they will be found under almost every tree this Christmas."

Particular attention should be paid to any toys bought cheaply from unknown sellers online, light-up or moving decorations which are brought out for the holidays, as well as in gifts bought for other older members of the family or pets.

They also urged parents to check the packaging in case there are any spare button batteries loose inside, and to keep them in a safe place out of reach of children.

Any toys with button batteries should be checked to ensure the compartment is sealed with a screw or similar fastener to prevent children being able to gain access to the battery, and anything that doesn't have this should be kept well out of their reach.

Water beads

Water beads are also a popular toy many children will be receiving this year, but they should only be played with under close supervision.

The brightly colored, squishy balls are very appealing to small children but could cause serious problems if swallowed.

Given that they retain water by design, the balls can absorb stomach fluids and swell to many times their original size, which could cause a serious bowel blockage.

The CAPT advises that they're never bought for children under the age of five, and any older children should be supervised when playing with them - ideally in a large tub with plenty of free space so stray beads can't escape onto the floor. All beads should be safely cleared away after use to prevent younger children or pets from accessing them accidentally.

Cheap copies of popular toys

Christmas is an expensive time of year, so many people consider cutting costs by buying copies of the most popular toys from cheap online retailers, often based overseas.

However, this could be setting yourself up for unknown risks as the quality is often far less strictly controlled, so the item may have cheap parts that break easily, button batteries that are easy for a child to access, hight strength magnets that could come loose, or harmful levels of chemicals.

The CAPT advises buying a smaller toy from a reputable retailer instead of a cheap copy, especially for children under three years old.

Electric scooters and e-bikes

Aside from the obvious injury risks - especially when used without wearing protective helmets - these items house lithium-ion batteries which are known for starting explosive fires which can spread quickly.

Many have been recalled from sale - particularly cheap copies - and parents are advised to only buy from reputable retailers and manufacturers, and use only manufacturer recommended batteries and chargers and never leave them charging unattended or overnight.

Slime

Slime might be an incredibly popular children's toy but it can be an adult's worst nightmare, due to the mess and chance of it getting stuck to soft furnishings or a child's hair.

But the risks could run even deeper as certain slimes have been recalled for containing dangerous levels of certain chemicals including boron, which can cause irritation, diarrhoea, vomiting and cramps if ingested, and there is even concern it could cause harm to the reproductive system.

Their advice is to only buy from reputable brand names and retailers and never from unknown vendors online.

The message is clear - it's better to pay a little more for fewer items you know are likely to be safe and of higher quality than to buy hundreds of cheap trinkets from online sellers to fill up the underside of the tree, as it could end up with some seriously undesired consequences.

Featured image credit: Tanja Ivanova/Getty Images

A mom who hails from Australia has gone viral on social media after revealing what she describes as "disgusting" hidden details on LOL Surprise! dolls.

The company has since released a statement addressing the backlash, after similar concerns were expressed by parents elsewhere.

Kate Worsfold, who hails from Brisbane, shared a video on Facebook over the weekend that shows what happened when she submerged the LOL Suprise! dolls in water.

“As a mom I am so fuming and f***ing livid right now that my daughter has these toys in our house and I knew nothing about it,” Mrs Worsfold, per news.com.au.

The video has remarkably accrued more than six million views and over 100,000 shares on Facebook.

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One of the dolls appeared to change in the cold water to reveal bandage-like underwear and what seemed to be black shackles on the wrists.

“It looks like bandages or kind of tape or some sh*t – and it starts to read caution around her private parts,” the mom said. “On top of that on her hands are shackles, they turn into black shackles.”

“This is toys that are being given to our kids and being sold in Kmart, Target, f**king Big W, kid’s shops and we’re buying them innocently for our kids,” she continued per news.com.au.

A spokeswoman for Big W told news.com.au that the store had received other complaints concerning the dolls.

“We can confirm some of our customers have approached us about the current LOL Surprise! dolls and expressed concern with this range.

“We are currently working closely with our suppliers to reach the best outcome for our customers.”

MGA Entertainment, the company that makes the LOL Surprise! dolls has responded to the viral videos regarding the product. A spokesperson for the company told Fast Company:

“L.O.L Surprise! is a fashion-forward doll brand designed to be fun and expressive.

“We work very hard to be a brand that listens and adapts to our fans’ requests. We acknowledge the recent feedback received and thank you for bringing it to our attention. We have implemented comprehensive corrective measures to our design and approval process while ensuring the essence of the brand is kept intact.”

Police in Johnstown Pennsylvania are warning parents to be extra cautious regarding their Halloween candy, in order to prevent their children from consuming anything laced with drugs.

The warning came in response to the police department's discovery of a stash of drug-laced candy in Stoney Creek Township while conducting a search warrant.

The official Facebook page for the Johnstown Police Department posted images of said candy, which was disguised as a packet of Nerds Rope. It contained 400mg of THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.

"The Johnstown Police would like to draw extra attention to the Nerds Rope edibles containing 400mg of THC found during a search warrant in Stoney Creek Twp," they wrote. "During this Halloween, we urge parents to be ever vigilant in checking their children’s candy before allowing them to consume those treats. Drug laced edibles are package[d] like regular candy and may be hard to distinguish from the real candy."

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As seen in the photo, the faux candy does have a label indicating that it contains THC, however, it would be very easy for a parent or a child to confuse it with a non-stimulant candy.

Ferrara Candy Company, who make Nerds Rope, released this statement to CBS News:

"This product is counterfeit and in no way associated with Ferrara Candy Company. We want to reassure consumers that the products they find at major retailers across the country are safe for them to consume."

The company is believed to be "working with the relevant authorities" to ensure the issue of counterfeit Nerds products is resolved.

Recent research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that marijuana-related ER visits increased by more than 60 per cent between 2005 and 2011.

In particular, there has been a rise in teens and children ending up in the hospital after consuming some form of cannabis whether intentionally or not - so the concern is a very real one.

Police in Georgia have issued a warning after an extremely adult item was discovered in a child’s school lunchbox.

The warning begged parents to check the contents of their kids’ lunch before packing them off to school - and while they addressed it in humorous fashion, there’s a serious side too.

South Fulton Police issue parental warning

If you look at the contents of the lunchbox, a lot of it looks totally normal - a pack of Doritos, presumably some sandwiches, maybe a bit of fruit.

However, it also contains a Cutwater Lemon Drop Martini.

Now, that’s not just an alcoholic drink, it’s a strong one.

In fact, it’s around 11 percent ABV, which is way stronger than most beers.

Not that you should pack the kids off to school with a beer either, honestly.

Perhaps just a water or a juice box will do in future.

The lunchbox seemed normal, but upon closer inspection it contained a Cutwater Lemon Drop Martini. Credit: City of South Fulton Police Department

A Cutwater Lemon Drop Martini is not a school drink

The police released a statement trying to show that they saw the (almost) funny side of this mishap, while still impressing the seriousness of the situation.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the force wrote: "Say Twin… Before you send them babies off to school… CHECK. THE. LUNCHBOX.

"Because why are we getting reports of juice boxes sitting next to… Cutwater margaritas??"

Seeming to accept that mistakes happen and that mornings can be busy for those with kids, they added simply: “TIGHTEN UP TWIN!”

They then offered a handy checklist, writing: "Homework ✅ Lunch packed ✅ Alcoholic beverages ❌❌❌."

Finally, the force said: "If it says 12% ABV… it does NOT belong next to a PB&J."

That’s fair - in fact, let’s not give any school kids drinks with alcohol in them at all, shall we?

Let's keep the Lemon Drop Martinis for the adults at the weekend, rather than sticking them in with the kids sandwiches.

Perhaps just a juice box will do the trick?

Featured image credit: City of South Fulton Police Department

A 6-year-old boy from North Carolina spent hours in the emergency room after mistakenly consuming THC-laced candy that his family purchased.

The incident occurred during a family outing in Charlotte's South End neighborhood, where they stopped for lunch at the Common Market. Speaking to the New York Post, the parents described the business as an "uncommon convenience store, deli, and bar".

The young boy, intrigued by the unfamiliar candy displayed on the counter, persuaded his mother to buy it. However,  the cashier failed to inform the parents - who believed the candies were freeze-dried Skittles - that the product contained THC.

Mom Catherine Buttereit revealed to The Post that her son had seen these types of Skittles in a YouTube video and had wanted to try them for some time.

The family - including several other children - tried the candy, with the boy consuming around 40 pieces while others had one or two.

Soon after, the child began experiencing adverse and painful effects, including a burning pelvic area, freezing chest, headache, and stomach discomfort.

"He was in excruciating pain," mother Catherine told The Post.

Concerned about his well-being, his mother swiftly called 911, suspecting poisoning after the boy complained that the water tasted "disgusting". It was then discovered that the candy was laced with Delta-9 THC, the primary psychoactive component of the cannabis sativa plant.

Doctors estimated that the child had consumed approximately 13 times the adult dosage of THC for his 40-pound weight. Although Delta-9 THC is considered therapeutic, the long-term effects on a child of his age and size were unknown.

After a 17-hour sleep at the hospital, the boy woke up and his pain had fortunately subsided.

Despite marijuana being illegal in North Carolina, Delta-9 THC products with up to 0.3% content can be sold in various stores throughout the state, including convenience stores and online shops. Some packages may include a suggested 21 and over age label, but enforcement of age restrictions is not mandatory.

The Common Market, where the incident occurred, reportedly has a policy of IDing customers similar to alcohol sales and typically keeps the candy in a Plexiglas case behind the counter, out of reach of customers.

The Post reports that although the store in question did not respond to requests for comment, it confirmed that the candy should have been secured and that staff is trained to educate customers about such products.

The incident has raised concerns about the availability of THC-laced products in family-friendly settings. Buttereit hopes to raise awareness among parents and caretakers about these new drug products being accessible in places where children are present. She emphasized the importance of business owners taking proactive measures to ensure these products do not end up in the hands of children.

"I'm really just trying to bring awareness to other parents and caretakers that this extremely new drug product is available now in family-type settings where children are going to be, not only in exclusive vape-type shops anymore," said Buttereit.

She did acknowledge her own negligence as a parent but stressed that businesses must do their part in educating employees and preventing such products from reaching children.

Featured image credit: Boston Globe / Getty