When parents are concerned about their child’s safety, choking risks are high on their radar. Usually nuts, small toys, popcorn, hot dogs and grapes are their biggest worries. But one-third of choking related deaths in children result from latex balloons.⠀
Especially small children are endangered. Toddlers bite into balloons, which can cause them to burst. The child gets scared and reflexively takes a breath … and small scraps of the balloon can get into the airway and end up lying on the entrance into the airway like a membrane, blocking it. ⠀
Toddlers also love to put things into their mouth, including those scraps of the balloon or even uninflated balloons while trying to blow them up.⠀
That’s why balloons by law must have a safety warning not to be used by children under 3 years. In some countries, the warning is even more explicit: “Choking Hazard: Children under 8 years can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons. Adult supervision required. Keep uninflated balloons from children. Discard broken balloons at once.”⠀
* It’s ok to let children play with balloons but always supervise children under age 8 years if they play with uninflated balloons⠀
* Collect and discard any pieces of a broken balloon as soon as it breaks⠀
Posted on December 05, 2019 by Luitgard Holzleg
This entry was posted in Blog and tagged balloons, childsafety, choking, chokinghazard, firstaid, gagging, homesafety, parenting, throatsafety. Bookmark the permalink.