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It may sound surprising but balloons that are a symbol of fun and create a festive atmosphere for almost any celebration can also cause severe injury, illness or even death whether children or adults.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), since 1973 more than 110 children have died as a result of suffocation involving uninflated balloons or pieces of balloons. It is difficult to obtain similar records for our country.

Some children accidentally suck uninflated balloons into their mouths, often while attempting to inflate them. Yet others have drawn pieces of broken balloons that they were playing with into their throats causing a restriction of the airway.

Many a times when a balloon breaks, children continue to play with it, chewing on pieces of the balloon or attempting to stretch it across their mouths and suck or blow bubbles in it. These balloon pieces are easily sucked into the throat and lungs. Balloons get stuck in the throat and lungs and can completely block breathing. These balloon fragments are sticky and often difficult to remove.

This 'pop eye' is no fun

Beyond the potential for suffocation, balloons may also cause severe injuries to the eyes and face when they pop.

A balloon can break in a child's face as he is blowing it and injure the child's eye. This presents a very distinct possibility of an eye injury. There have been instances when children have lost their eyesight in such incidents. There are a variety of eye injuries that have been associated with balloons.

If a balloon pops right in front of the eye, it can cause a corneal abrasion (scratch on the cornea of the eye), which needs treatment since it can lead to infection and scarring. Other eye injuries can cause problems such as glaucoma and hyphema. Popping balloons can also cause a contusion to the eye or the face.

Don't pass around

Balloons can also be an excellent source of infections. A child, or for that matter even an adult, should never put a balloon in or on his/her mouth after another person has done so. There is nothing like fresh saliva to transmit germs. It can entail a risk not only of usual flu and cold, but also of more serious illnesses such as Hepatitis or Herpes.

The Toy Manufacturers of America has advised that packages of balloons display a safety warning that states: "Young children could choke on or be suffocated by an uninflated balloon or piece of a broken balloon. Adults should inflate balloons and supervise their use with children under 6 years."

Other tips that may help prevent injury from balloons are:

• While inflating, always hold the balloon with the palm outwards, back of the hand above the mouth and shielding the eyes.
• Hang balloons high enough so children cannot reach them.
• Keep a close watch on children who may be holding balloons and make sure they know not to place the balloon in their mouths or near the face.
• If a balloon breaks, immediately collect the pieces and discard them. Never let children play with an uninflated or broken balloon.

Balloons can still be a part of your celebrations, but caution, awareness and vigilance are needed to help keep everyone safe and healthy.

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