Bath time is often a highlight for kids—a chance to splash, play, and let their imaginations run wild. But for one Illinois family, the joy of this nightly ritual turned into a nightmare when a seemingly innocent bath toy led to a terrifying incident that almost cost their young son his vision. Now, shaken but resolute, they’re sharing their story to warn other parents about the hidden dangers lurking in the tub.
Eden Strong was giving her 2-year-old son, Baylor, a routine bath when she noticed his eye seemed slightly irritated. Assuming it was just from water splashing into it, she thought nothing of it. But within 12 hours, things took a frightening turn.
“His eye was protruding from his face,” Eden shared in a now-viral Facebook post. “It was badly swollen, and he had a raging fever.”
Doctors diagnosed Baylor with cellulitis, a serious bacterial skin infection that can spread rapidly. The unexpected culprit? A common squeezable bath toy.
“I later learned that water never fully drains from those toys, allowing bacteria to grow unchecked,” Eden explained.
What seemed like a harmless bath-time companion had become a dangerous breeding ground for bacteria, nearly costing Baylor his sight. Now, Eden is determined to raise awareness, urging other parents to be cautious of the hidden risks posed by these seemingly innocent toys.
“They warned me that he might lose vision in his worst-affected eye, but, thank the Lord, his eyes healed,” Eden recounted, sharing heartbreaking photos of Baylor’s swollen, infected eye to alert other parents.
The ordeal left Eden shaken but resolute. She immediately discarded all of Baylor’s squeezable bath toys, determined to prevent a similar incident. By sharing their story, she hopes to inspire manufacturers to rethink the safety of these products and encourage parents to reconsider allowing their children to play with them. “It’s a small change that could save another child from going through what Baylor did,” Eden emphasized.
“I think those toys are especially cute, fun, and affordable, but they’re just not worth the risk,” Eden said firmly.
The Strongs’ terrifying ordeal serves as a powerful reminder that not everything marketed for children’s enjoyment is inherently safe. As parents, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and prioritize safety, even with the most ordinary items.
So, next time you’re preparing for bath time, take a closer look at those beloved bath toys. That simple precaution could make all the difference—and might just save your child’s sight.
