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27th Mar 2023

Warning to all parents as these kid’s pop-it fidget toys can prove fatal

Clodagh McKeon

Here’s everything you need to know…

Parents are being urgently warned if they bought their child a popular rubber kids toy as it can prove fatal.

First aiders are saying the pop-it toys are a risk to infants and are telling parents to take them from their kid’s.

Paediatric nurse and managing director of CPR Kids, Sarah Hunstead, said parents need to be aware that the toys are meant for older children.

She issued the warning after two followers reached out to share how their babies nearly choked on a piece that fell off a cheaply-made pop-it.

Follower Kendall told of how she saw something pink in her nephew’s mouth when holding him one evening. Lincoln’s mum Ellie realised the strange object was a bit of rubber from a pop-it and quickly pulled it out.

The pair shared pictures of the little boy’s mouth, showing how one of the pieces caused his gum to swell.

She said: “This piece of the toy had broken off somehow and it suctioned to his top gums.

“We’re lucky it ended this way and not with him choking.”

She is warning all parents to be careful where the toys are left inside the home. Ellie said her older children play with them but she never expected a piece of the toy to break off.

She said: “Although they aren’t necessarily intended for infants, they are extremely popular with toddlers and older kids and they aren’t something you’d think would be harmful to a baby.

“My kids love them. I never thought the little bubble parts could pop out and be so dangerous for babies and toddlers who put things in their mouths.

“Please check your pop-its and spread awareness about this because it literally could happen to anyone.

“I’m so incredibly grateful that it was caught when it was and that my little guy is going to be okay.”

Kendall and Ellie shared that the swelling in Lincolns gums quickly went down and that he was back feeling fine.

What to do if your child is choking:

Baby

1. Slap it out:

  • Lay the baby face down along your thigh and support their head
  • Give five back blows between their shoulder blades
  • Turn them over and check their mouth each time

2. Squeeze it out:

  • Turn the baby over, face upwards, supported along your thigh
  • Put two fingers in the centre of their chest just below the nipple line; push downwards to give up to five sharp chest thrusts
  • Check the mouth each time

3. If the item does not dislodge, call 999 or 112 for emergency help

  • Take the baby with you to call
  • Repeat the steps 1 and 2 until help arrives
  • Start CPR if the baby becomes unresponsive

Child

1. Cough it out

  • Encourage the casualty to keep coughing, if they can

2. Slap it out

  • Lean them forwards, supporting them with one hand
  • Give five sharp back blows between the shoulder blades
  • Check their mouth each time but do not put your fingers in their mouth

3. Squeeze it out

  • Stand behind them with your arms around their waist, with one clenched fist between their belly button and the bottom of their chest
  • Grasp the fist in the other hand and pull sharply inwards and upwards, giving up to five abdominal thrusts
  • Check their mouth each time

4. Call 999 or 112 for emergency help if the object does not dislodge

  • Repeat steps 2 and 3 until help arrives
  • Start CPR if the person becomes unresponsive (unconscious)

5. Always seek medical advice if abdominal thrusts are used

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