Toy balloons are one of the most common children’s products in American homes and one of the most consistently deadly. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns that of all children’s products, balloons are the leading cause of suffocation death. Between January 1980 and July 1991 alone, nearly 200 children choked to death on balloons, marbles, or small balls. Deaths from balloon suffocation continue to be reported to CPSC each year.
Why Balloons Kill
Balloon accidents occur in two primary ways. First, some children suck uninflated balloons into their mouths while attempting to blow them up. When a child inhales to prepare for the next blow, the balloon can be drawn back into the throat. Some deaths have resulted from children simply sucking or chewing on uninflated balloons when an unexpected sharp inhale, triggered by a fall or a startle, draws the balloon into the throat. In one documented case, a child who was chewing on an uninflated balloon fell from a swing and, in a reflex action, inhaled sharply and suffocated.
Second, pieces of broken balloons are extremely dangerous. When a balloon breaks, children often continue to play with the pieces by chewing on them, stretching them across the mouth, or blowing bubbles. Balloon pieces are easily sucked into the throat and lungs. Unlike a hard foreign object that may be dislodged, a piece of balloon molds to the shape of the throat and lungs and can completely block breathing. Standard first aid responses are far less effective against a pliable material that conforms to the airway.
What You Should Do
- Do not allow children under the age of 8 to play with uninflated balloons without supervision.
- Adults should inflate balloons before giving them to young children. A fully inflated balloon does not present the same hazard.
- If a balloon breaks, immediately collect every piece and dispose of them out of reach of young children. Do not leave broken balloon pieces on the floor.
- Keep uninflated balloons completely out of reach of young children at all times.
- Consider using mylar or foil balloons at parties where young children are present, as these do not break into pliable pieces in the same way.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, visit SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772.
Source: https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/pdfs/blk_pdf_5087.pdf
