1. Aqua Dot Art
Aqua dots were a popular art product for children. Children placed small colored beads or spheres into a pen and then with the help of the pen, placed the beads onto a tray in a specific pattern. The different kits came with pictures of animals, fairies, people and vehicles for children to create. Once the aqua dots created a picture, the child squirted the dots with a small squirt bottle. This made the dots stick to each other, cementing them into the picture the child created. Now children had a three dimensional art piece. And if the child didn't want to keep it, breaking the aqua dots apart was fairly easy.
2. It Was One Hot Toy
Aqua dots started as part of a TV only campaign, but became the hot toy of 2007. Soon stores such as Target, Wal-Mart and Toys R Us were stocking them, and having problems keeping them in stock. Every child wanted aqua dots and stores sold over 4.2 million units. Experts predicted aqua dots would become the big Christmas Toy in 2007.
3. Aqua Dots Recalled
But in November of 2007, Spin Master, the designer of Aqua Dots, recalled the product when several children become sick after ingesting the aqua dots. Young children thought the aqua dots were candy. One of the big drawbacks to aqua dots is that beads look like candy and are extremely easy for children to swallow without choking.
4. GHB: Euphoric and Dangerous
The coating on the outside of aqua dots that makes it sticky when wet, turns in to GHB or gamma-hydroxy butyrate when ingested due to chemical changes during digestion. In low doses, GHB can cause euphoria, but in high doses, it's incredibly dangerous, especially to children. GHB is more commonly known as a date rape drug since it can make muscles flaccid and cause amnesia. Many children who ingested aqua dots fell into comas, but recovered. Children who ingest aqua dots are at risk for respiratory distress, comas and seizures.
5. Take Aqua Dots Away From Children
If you still have aqua dots in your house, remove them from your child's reach immediately. Contact the makers of Aqua Dots, Spin Master, for toys of equal value or replacement aqua dots that don't contain GHB.
