Álvaro Fernández, pharmacist: "Balloons are responsible for 29% of choking cases in children."

Pharmacist Álvaro Fernández has issued a strong warning about an object generally considered harmless: balloons . In a video shared on social media, the expert warns of the high risk these items pose to children's health. According to data from the Spanish Association of Pediatrics , 29% of deaths from suffocation in children not related to food are due to handling balloons.

"Playing balloons," which appears to be a simple recreational activity, can turn into a serious situation if left unsupervised. "This seemingly innocent activity can be extremely dangerous," he says, emphasizing the need for extreme vigilance when children interact with these objects.

The act of inflating them also carries risks.

The pharmacist warns that children, when trying to inflate balloons, often take a deep breath after blowing hard , which can cause them to accidentally inhale the balloon itself. "They can also inhale the balloon," he points out, referring to the danger of suffocation due to obstruction if the material adheres to the airways.

Latex , the main component of most balloons, has a high capacity to completely block the passage of air if accidentally introduced into the trachea. This makes this material particularly dangerous, especially when fragments are introduced into the mouth after the balloon bursts.

“Latex sticks to the airways and can easily cause complete obstruction.”

The fragments pose an added threat

Already inflated balloons burst easily. When this happens, the remains often end up in the hands (or mouths) of children. "What do children do? They put it in their mouths ," Fernández recalls, adding: "Latex sticks to the airways and can easily cause a complete obstruction ."

Balloons are the leading cause of non-food choking in children under five years of age.

Thus, balloons are the leading cause of non-food choking in children under five . To avoid accidents, the specialist recommends limiting their use to decorative purposes and prohibiting direct handling by children. "Use them for decoration, but don't let them play with them or try to inflate them," he suggests.

Recommendations to avoid accidents

Álvaro Fernández 's warning concludes with a reflection for adults responsible for childcare: "Children sometimes have very bad ideas." This statement encourages us to pay closer attention to objects that are considered safe but aren't. Supervising play and avoiding risky situations is key to protecting the lives of children.

What begins as a fun activity can turn into a silent danger if appropriate measures aren't taken. Therefore, experts insist on keeping these items out of the reach of children and encouraging safe practices in everyday play.