Child Safety: Balloons

Every child loves balloons and it is easy to see why they love them. Balloons are bright colored, round, soft, and above all, they float! Balloons are a symbol of celebration, fun, and happiness. They are given out at restaurants, parties, and even, the grocery store. Balloons are often used to calm a crying child or distract a bored child. I think we can all agree that to a child a balloon equals fun. What many adults do not know is that balloons are actually very dangerous.

According to the California Public Interest Research Group, balloons were the most dangerous toy in America last year, "accounting for more choking deaths than any other children's product." Nearly half of the choking fatalities reported to the Consumer Products Safety Commission between 1990 and 2009 involved balloons.

Fully inflated balloons are generally safe, but it's after they are popped or deflated that they become most dangerous. A child may pick up the deflated or broken piece of the balloon and put it in their mouth. It is also dangerous for a child to attempt blowing up a balloon because he could inhale the balloon and cause choking. What many do not know is that if a piece of latex balloon gets stuck in the airway of a child, it is almost impossible to remove the piece of balloon. The latex is so thin and a child's mouth is so small it is likely only a doctor can remove the piece of balloon and by the time the child is taken to the hospital  it may be too late.

Also, consider this scenario, an infant that puts everything in their mouth attempts to put a fully inflated balloon in their mouth, snags it on their new little teeth causing it to pop, and it scares them. What do we all do when we get scared? We gasp. That quick gasp at the exact time the balloon pops can be deadly. If they breath in part of the balloon that just popped they can choke, and again, it will be almost impossible to remove the small piece of latex balloon blocking your child's airway.

The Child Safety Protection Act states that children under the age of 8 should not be left unsupervised with a balloon. As an extra precaution, we recommend not ever letting your infant or toddler play with a balloon. Please pass this information on to your nanny, babysitter, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even teachers. This is important information for anyone that is, at anytime, responsible for children.

But let's not forget, even with all of the safety warnings, balloons are pretty awesome!

Continue to visit our blog for more helpful hints, tips, and ideas to keep your family running smooth. 

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