Legal News

GPs and parents are warning of the dangers of elasticated “Loom bands”, after a boy was accidentally blinded in one eye when his brother pinged one of the bands near his face.

The coloured bands – which can be used to make bracelets and wristbands – have become popular with children and teenagers, but there have been incidences when children have sustained injuries as a result of the craze.

The Daily Mail reports that in Lincolnshire, seven-year-old Kyle Lawrence from Cleethorpes is awaiting surgery to restore sight to one eye, after being temporarily blinded when a blood clot developed after his elder brother accidentally pinged the rubber band at him.

His mother, Mrs Carlie Lawrence, 32, has written to the manufacturer of the Loom bands and has vowed not to have them in the house again.

Mrs Lawrence said:

“I will never have them in the house again – I emailed the company about changing the labelling to warn people, but they haven't got back to me.

“There should be a warning on the packet,” said Mrs Lawrence, who has six children.

The family was sitting together making “rainbow Loom sandals” when the accident happened. Making the Loom sandals involves wrapping a band round an ankle and using a strap which hooks around a toe.

“Children shouldn't be doing the stretching,” she said. “It's terrible that this has happened. I've had other parents come forward and say that something similar has happened, but not as bad.”

Immediately after the accident, Kyle began screaming in pain and was violently and repeatedly sick, says Mrs Lawrence.

The family took him to A&E by ambulance, where he was given eyedrops. But he continued being sick throughout the night and the family took him back to hospital the next day. An eye specialist said that Kyle should have been admitted to hospital and not sent home. Kyle sent six days in hospital and spent a further week in bed at home.

The sight in his left eye has not returned and he is unable to join in any activities at school. He is due to undergo surgery at Sheffield Hospital to restore the sight in his left eye.

Leading Staffordshire GP Dr Anne-Marie Houlder has also warned of the dangers of Loom bands, after a child in Bristol was found asleep with the Loom bands twisted round his fingers, cutting off the blood supply.

Dr Houlder said that parents needed to be aware of the risks to children from using Loom bands.

“They could be a choking hazard or cause circulatory problems if children swallow or wrap them round their fingers for any length of time.

“Parents need to be aware of the potential dangers if children are left unattended.”



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