Balloon Hazards Can Affect Kids of All Ages
A party wouldn’t be complete without festive balloons especially when kids love them as much as my almost-three-old toddler. They remind him of the big blue balloon Winnie the Pooh floats up with to trick bees. They’re also lots of fun to hold and throw at birthday parties, which are generally overflowing with balloons. Balloons, however, aren’t as benign as they seem.
SAFE USA, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns parents that children can choke on ballons if they play with or chew on uninflated or inflated balloons and accidentally swallow or inhale them. Even children over age 3 are not safe from choking on latex balloons. (There are other important toy safety tips at Children’s Hospital Boston.)
Choking is not the only hazard associated with balloons.
NEW DELHI: At least 20 children were injured when a bunch of gas balloons they were carrying to release on the occasion of “World Day Against Child Labour” exploded at the India Gate lawns on Sunday evening.
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The police said the procession was midway through when the balloons went up in flames after one of them apparently came in contact with a candle held by a child.
As several balloons exploded one after the other in quick succession, the children standing nearby sustained injuries on their faces and hands.
~The Hindu, June 13, 2005
Ballons don’t have to be banned, though. Just as with anything, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on our kids with or without balloons.
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