Toys that turn playtime into sudden death

[limbo]

Toys that turn playtime into sudden death

 

Doctors warn dozens of children choke or suffocate in accidents each year

 

 

The death last month of a 10-month-old boy, who suffocated on a tiny toy-car wheel, appears to be a relatively common tragedy.

 

 

Scores of children die each year after swallowing foreign objects. Suffocation or choking to death is a major cause of death among children under three years old.

 

 

Between 80 and 100 youngsters die this way each year, according to Ramathibodi Hospital Child Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Centre director Dr Adisak Plitponkarnpim.

 

 

"When something obstructs the throat, a child can suffocate within four minutes. It's impossible to get to a hospital in time," he said.

 

 

And if the child swallows the object, it often ends up in a lung, causing complications.

 

 

Last month, Sansanee Pengpitch, of Chon Buri, discovered her 10-month-old son in convulsions. He had been left alone to play with a toy car. She rushed the infant to hospital but was too late to save his life. Doctors found the child suffocated on a plastic wheel.

 

 

In January, a 5-year-old boy swallowed a two-centimetre by four-centimetre piece of iron. While it caused him great discomfort, doctors managed to save his life.

 

 

In the same month, a 7-year-old Khon Kaen girl had a tiny whistle removed from her throat. She survived on a respirator until doctors could attend to her.

 

 

In February, a 6-year-old boy had a similar whistle removed.

 

 

Last year, a 2-year-old girl was rushed to hospital after swallowing an illuminating lollipop stick. It had to be removed from her stomach. Doctors said she could have died.

 

 

Adisak said any objects with a diameter of less than 3.2 centimetres and shorter than 5.7 centimetres were dangerous for young toddlers.

 

 

Safety laws demand small toys are labelled as unsuitable for children younger than three.

 

 

Adisak said his child-safety centre used a testing cylinder. If a toy passes unobstructed, then the object is too risky for very-young children.

 

 

The centre has provided 10,000 testing cylinders to medical centres. However, it is proving unpopular with parents, he said. "Thousands remain in stock," Adisak said.

 

 

If parents find their children with an object stuck in their throats, the best way to remove it is to squeeze the child's stomach, which usually forces an object out. But, Adisak said, most parents know little first aid.

 

 

"It's sad parents learn to raise their kids to be smart and cook nutritional food for them but have no idea how to administer first aid."

 

 

A toy expert at the Thai Industrial Standards Institute said all kinds of playthings made and sold in this country were covered by standards imposed by the Industry Ministry.

 

 

Each toy is checked for many factors, including excessive volume and chemicals. Making sure they do not have components smaller than is safe for children of all ages is high on the list. Nevertheless, many toys are imported illegally from places like China and sold in shops and markets. And many toys given away as promotional items are unapproved.

 

 

Some snack-foods manufacturers give away toys with purchases. Some have been found to contain dangerous chemicals and children can easily mistake the toys as edible.

 

 

Recently, a 10-year-old boy narrowly escaped death after swallowing an effervescent tablet included in a snack-food packet. The tablet turned out to be fuel for a toy rocket that came with the purchase. The case prompted the Food and Drug Administration to rush through measures to try to control give-aways of unapproved items as promotional features with foodstuffs.

 

Chatrarat Kaewmorakot

 

The Nation 09/04/07

 

[Julian2]

I went to buy a toy koala for a new family baby the other day, most of them had swagmen's hats on with little corks on strings hanging off them. This is in Australia as well.

 

[Flashermac]

So how about some TV programmes to teach parents basic first aid? Or would that interupt with their soap opera viewing?

 

 

 

 

[bust]

I went to buy a toy koala for a new family baby the other day, most of them had swagmen's hats on with little corks on strings hanging off them. This is in Australia as well.

Most of the koalas in the trees in my neighbourhood wear baseball caps these days........the younger ones where them back to front.

[Flashermac]

The cool ones wear them sideways.

 

 

 

[Torneyboy]

And wear 30+ sun screen due the fact there are zero trees..let alone eucalyptus ones...

[bust]

Reminds me I must take my little friend down to Symbian one day she can hold one. Great place but not very well known.

[limbo]

Excuse me Bust, you mind explaining this. Thanks.

[bust]

No problems........was a bit out with the spelling.

http://www.symbiowildlife.com/

I know you were expecting some motorised sexual apparatus. Sorry to dissapoint.

[limbo]

Yeah, see what you mean. 555