CPSC Issues Warning That Choking On Small Balls Can Be Fatal To Young
Children: Safety Alert
Consumer Product Safety Commission
CPSC Issues Warning That Choking On Small Balls Can Be Fatal To Young
Children
Document #5076
During a recent one-year period, CPSC received reports of 7
deaths of children involving small balls. The youngest child was
10 months old. Due to the small size of the balls they can easily
become lodged in the airway of young children.
Caregivers are warned that young or handicapped children can
choke on these small balls and that they should not be available
to them. Care should also be taken to assure that older
children don't play with small balls around younger siblings.
Since these small balls are found in many types of retail establishments,
in vending machines, and some games intended for
older children, the CPSC is concerned that caregivers be aware
of the choking hazard and keep all such small balls away from
children who may have a tendency to put them into their mouths.
The packages and vending machines containing small balls,
with a diameter of 1.75 inches, must be labeled with the
following cautionary statement:
009608