Although foods like hot dogs, peanuts and grapes are the #1
cause of choking deaths to children, balloons are #2. The Journal
of the American Medical Association reported that of the 373 American
children who died between 1972 and 1992 after choking on children's
products, nearly a third choked on latex balloons. Most of the
children were eight or younger. Children had inhaled latex balloons
whole (often while trying to inflate them) or choked on fragments
of broken balloons. Latex is dangerous because it is smooth and
will conform to the trachea, blocking the airway and making it
almost impossible to expel with the Heimlich manoeuvre. In fact,
using the Heimlich manoeuvre when some air is getting through
could make the situation worse by moving the balloon to completely
obstruct the throat. Likewise, unless the balloon can be seen
and grasped completely, attempting to remove it by hand could
easily push it farther into the trachea. Using the Heimlich manoeuvre
only if the airway is completely obstructed. Otherwise, dial 911
or get to an emergency room, where doctors have equipment to clear
the airway. But the safest thing is to not give young children
latex balloons in the first place. Instead, Safe Kids recommends
shiny foil balloons one common brand is Mylar - which are considered
less of a choking hazard. They are easier to inflate (and therefore
less likely to be sucked in), do not tend to explode into small
pieces, which can be swallowed, and are less pliable and do not
conform to the trachea.