CHILDREN LOVE THEM, part of every birthday, and they can be DEADLY: 'Parents, be careful when they play with them!'

CHILDREN LOVE THEM, part of every birthday, and they can be DEADLY: ‘Parents, be careful when they play with them!’ Balloons, despite their association with children’s fun, present a significant choking risk. Pediatricians warn that pieces of balloons can completely block a child’s airway if inhaled, and the Spanish Association of Pediatricians (AEP) notes they can stick to the airway. The Ministry of Health highlights that balloons are a leading cause of accidental suffocation deaths in the US, urging parents to supervise play and clean up fragments.

• Balloons can be dangerous for children and can cause death by suffocation.
• If a piece of balloon enters the airway, it can cause complete obstruction.
• Parents should not allow babies or young children to put balloons in their mouths or leave them unattended while playing with balloons.
• The risk is similar to that of small objects like coins, batteries, marbles, or certain foods not suitable for children.
• Deflated balloons can stick to the airway and cause complete obstruction, especially when a child tries to inflate one.
• Children may bite a inflated balloon and swallow a piece.
• Balloons are a leading cause of death by choking in the US.
• Parents should always supervise children playing with balloons and immediately collect pieces of popped balloons.