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After thousands of child injuries, regulators move to crack down on water bead toys

• Federal regulators are introducing new safety standards for water beads after thousands of children were injured by the popular toy.

• The small, colorful beads can expand dramatically when exposed to liquid, causing choking or dangerous internal blockages if swallowed.

• The new rules aim to limit how these products are sold and marketed, especially to protect young children.

Federal regulators are taking action against water beads the tiny, colorful pellets that expand dramatically in water after thousands of children were injured by the popular products.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently approved new safety standards designed to reduce the risks associated with these beads, which are often marketed as toys, crafts, or sensory play items.

The updated rules aim to better protect young children by addressing how the beads are sold, labeled, and marketed. Regulators say the changes are intended to prevent products that can expand dangerously inside the body from ending up in childrens hands. Consumer safety advocates have pushed for stronger action for years, arguing that water beads pose a unique hazard because they start out tiny but can grow much larger when they absorb liquid.

While the new standards are intended to reduce risks, many advocates say continued awareness among parents and caregivers will still be essential.

This overdue, commonsense step should reduce the risk of playtime turning into tragedy, Teresa Murray, Consumer Watchdog Director for U.S. PIRG Education Fund, said in a news release.

Children will be safer going forward because itll be difficult if not impossible to find these toys for sale, but this doesnt eliminate the risk posed by water beads already in peoples homes.

Why water beads can be dangerous

Water beads are made from superabsorbent polymers designed to soak up liquid. Originally developed for uses such as gardening and floral arrangements, they eventually became popular as sensory toys and craft materials because of their squishy texture and bright colors.

The problem is what happens if a child swallows one. A bead that starts out smaller than a pea can expand significantly once inside the body. In some cases, the bead can grow large enough to block the digestive tract, which may require emergency surgery to remove.

Injuries tied to water beads have been reported across the country. Federal safety data estimate that thousands of children were treated in U.S. emergency rooms between 2017 and 2022 after ingesting the beads. Doctors have also reported cases where children inserted the beads into their ears or noses, where they can swell and cause damage.

Because the beads are smooth, colorful, and often resemble candy, they can be especially tempting for babies and toddlers.

What parents should know

Even with new regulations in place, water beads may still be sold for certain purposes, including decorative or gardening uses. That means they can still make their way into homes where young children live or visit.

If you have water beads or are thinking about buying them experts recommend taking a few precautions:

• Keep them away from small children, especially those under age three.

• Store beads securely and carefully clean up any that spill, since the tiny dry pellets are easy to miss.

• Act quickly if theres a concern, and seek medical help if a child may have swallowed one or placed one in their ear or nose.

Spend $150 at BJs and unlock a limited-time fuel discount that can make filling up a lot cheaper

• BJs members can earn 50 off per gallon of gas by spending $150 or more in a single transaction.

• The gas discount must be redeemed within seven days at BJs Gas locations.

• The promotion is available through March 16, offering a timely way to offset rising fuel prices.

With gas prices creeping up across the country, saving at the pump can feel like a big win. Thats exactly what BJs Wholesale Club is aiming to offer with a new limited-time promotion that gives members a sizable fuel discount.

Through March 16, BJs members can receive 50 cents off every gallon of gas when they spend $150 or more in a single transaction at a BJs club or online at BJs.com. The discount is designed to reward shoppers who are already stocking up on groceries, household essentials, and other bulk items.

For drivers who fill up regularly, shaving half a dollar off every gallon can translate into noticeable savings, especially if you drive a larger vehicle or commute frequently.

How the discount works

When BJs members spend at least $150 in one transaction, either in-store or online, they automatically unlock the 50 per gallon gas discount.

Once the purchase is completed, the fuel savings become available at BJs Gas stations, which are located at many of the retailers warehouse clubs. Members will have seven days to redeem the discount after making their qualifying purchase.

The savings are applied instantly when members fill up at a BJs gas pump. Because BJs gas prices are often already competitive compared to nearby stations, stacking an additional 50 discount can make the deal even more appealing.

However, timing matters. The promotion itself runs through March 16, so shoppers who want to take advantage of the offer will need to complete their qualifying purchase before the deadline.

What shoppers should know before filling up

If youre planning to take advantage of the promotion, a little strategy can help you get the most value.

• Try to combine planned purchases: Try to save things like groceries, cleaning supplies, or pantry staples for one single trip so you can easily reach the $150 spending threshold. BJs bulk packages make this relatively easy for many households.

• Remember the seven-day redemption window: If you earn the discount but forget to stop by a BJs Gas station within that time, you could miss out on the savings.

• Consider timing your fuel purchase with a low tank:Since the discount applies per gallon, filling up when you need the most gas will maximize the value of the deal.

The bankruptcy only involves the brick-and-mortar part of the business

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The store operator ofEddie Bauer plans to close 174 brick-and-mortar stores across the U.S. and Canada after failing to find a buyer during bankruptcy proceedings.

• The closures follow a canceled auction for the companys store leases and come amid mounting debt and declining retail sales.

• The retail operators filing does not impact Eddie Bauers manufacturing, wholesale, or e-commerce operations, nor does it impact retail operations outside of the U.S. and Canada.

The store operator of outdoor apparel retailer Eddie Bauer is preparing to close 174 brick-and-mortar stores across North America after failing to secure a buyer during bankruptcy proceedings, according to court filings and company statements.

The closures come after a planned auction of the companys retail leases was canceled due to a lack of qualified bids, leaving liquidation as the most likely path forward for the retailers store operations.

The move affects approximately 150 stores in the United States and about two dozen in Canada. Closing sales are already underway in many locations, and most stores are expected to shut their doors by the end of April as the company winds down its physical retail business.

Filed for bankruptcy earlier this year

Eddie Bauers store operator filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this year, citing declining sales, rising costs, and ongoing challenges facing traditional retail. The bankruptcy marks the third such filing for the brand in the past two decades.

The entity that operates Eddie Bauers retail locations licenses the brand from Authentic Brands Group, which owns the companys intellectual property. Because of that structure, the bankruptcy applies primarily to the brick-and-mortar retail business rather than the brand itself.

As a result, Eddie Bauer products are expected to remain available online and through wholesale distribution channels even after the stores close. The brands e-commerce and licensing operations are being transitioned to a new partner, Outdoor 5.

106 years old

Founded in Seattle in 1920, Eddie Bauer built a reputation for outdoor gear and apparel, including down jackets and equipment used by military and expedition teams. At its peak in the early 2000s, the company operated nearly 600 stores.

Retail analysts say the latest closures reflect broader pressures facing mall-based retailers, including shifts toward online shopping, high lease costs, and competition from newer outdoor apparel brands.

Customers with gift cards or loyalty points are being encouraged to redeem them soon as the company continues its liquidation process and prepares to exit physical retail.

The company has not announced plans to reopen stores under new ownership, though the Eddie Bauer brand itself is expected to continue operating through digital and licensing channels.

Researchers say the answer may surprise you

• Researchers are testing "smart underwear" sensors that track when people pass gaswhile also recording diet and daily habits.

• Early results show people average about 32 gas events per day, though the range varies widely.

• The goal is to better understand the gut microbiome and what actually counts as normal digestion.

Everyone does it. Whether you call it breaking wind, passing gas, or cutting the cheese, flatulence is a normal part of digestion.

However, heres something scientists still dont fully understand: how much gas is actually normal?

Researchers at the University of Maryland are now trying to answer that question with a nationwide study that uses what they call "smart underwear."

How the smart underwearworks

The study uses a small wearable sensor that clips onto participants underwear.

The quarter-sized device measures intestinal gas using electrochemical sensors that detect when gas is released.

Participants also track:

• What they eat
• Their daily habits
• Demographic information

Researchers hope the data will help identify why some people pass gas far more often than others.

A window into the gut microbiome

The study might sound like bathroom humor, but the science behind it is actually serious. Researchers are trying to better understand how the gut microbiome works.

Your digestive system is home to trillions of bacteria that help break down the food you eat. When those microbes digest things like fiber and certain carbohydrates, they naturally create gases such as hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide.

By tracking how often gas is released and comparing that with peoples diets and daily habits, scientists hope to uncover new clues about:

• Digestive health
• Food tolerance
• Gut bacteria behavior
• Early signs of gastrointestinal disorders

Scientists say the findings could eventually help doctors give patients more personalized dietary advice and identify digestive problems earlier.

Researchers expect early findings from the larger study within about a year.

Early results already surprised scientists

In a small early study of 19 adults, the sensor tracked how often people passed gas in a typical day.

The result: about 32 times per day on average.

This is more than double the number often cited in medical literature.

However, the range was enormous. In one example, two participants with nearly identical diets passed gas 175 times and 5 times in the same day.

Thousands of people have volunteered

The new nationwide project, called the Human Flatus Atlas study, originally aimed to enroll 800 participants. Instead, more than 3,000 people across the U.S. have already signed up.

If interested, you can join the study as well. You'll be asked for your name, email address, and a few questions to determine your eligibility.

According to the research team, participants have been surprisingly open about sharing stories about digestive issues and embarrassing moments caused by excessive gas.

Researchers say the interest likely comes from a simple question many people have asked themselves at some point: Is this normal?

One thing scientists already know

One thing scientists already know is gas varies wildly from person to person.

So, if youve ever wondered whether youre normal when it comes to flatulence, youre definitely not alone. Researchers say thousands of Americans are curious about the exact same thing.