Suffocation Hazard to Children Under Three (3) Years.

Each half of the ball shaped plastic Poke Ball container may pose a suffocation hazard to infants and toddlers if it becomes stuck over the nose and mouth of a child under three years of age.

Destroy and discard the container, or bring either or both halves of the ball back to the restaurant for a free small order of french fries. Customer may keep the Pokemon toy that came inside the ball.

Customers may call Burger King Corporation at (800) 775-0625, or visit our web site at www.burgerking.com.

Consumers may also contact the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at (800) 638-2772.

This may be a good place and time to review what is or could be a suffocating, choking or strangulation hazard for children.

AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION INJURY

Over the holiday season, the children we love and care about received many gifts and toys. Caution and care must be taken when giving your children toys to play with. All toys are not meant for all children. Toys are age appropriate.

Airway obstruction injury (suffocation, choking, strangulation) is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children under age 1. These injuries occur when children's normal breathing becomes obstructed and they are unable to breathe. Children are at risk from these injuries when their internal airways are blocked by food or objects (choking); when materials block or cover their external airways (suffocation); and when items become wrapped around their necks and interfere with breathing (strangulation). Children, especially those under age 3, are particularly vulnerable to airway obstruction death and injury due to the small size of their upper airways, their relative inexperience with chewing and their natural tendency to put objects in their mouths. Additionally, among infants, the inability to lift their heads or extricate themselves from tight places puts them at greater risk.

AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION DEATHS AND INJURIES

• In 1993, nearly 450 children ages 14 and under died from suffocation, including smothering by materials, strangulation and entrapment in household appliances, such as refrigerators or dryers, and toy chests. Of these children, nearly two-thirds were under age 1 and more than 80 percent were ages 4 and under.
• In 1993, nearly 225 children ages 14 and under died from choking (food and nonfood). Of these children, nearly 85 percent were ages 4 and under.
• In 1994, at least 18 children ages 12 and under died from toy-related injuries. Approximately 60 percent of these children were ages 4 and under.
• In 1994, at least 18 children ages 12 and under died from toy-related injuries. Approximately 60 percent of these children were ages 4 and under. Of these children, 13 deaths were associated with choking.
• In 1994, 5,000 children ages 14 and under were treated in hospital emergency rooms for aspirating or ingesting toys and toy parts. More than 75 percent of these children were ages 4 and under.

WHEN AND WHERE AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION DEATHS AND INJURIES OCCUR

• The majority of childhood suffocations, strangulations and chokings occur in the home.
• Children are more likely to suffocate during the summer months and choke during the winter months.

Suffocation

• Almost 200 infants die from suffocation annually because someone in the same bed rolls over on them; their faces become wedged against or buried in a mattress, pillow, infant cushion or other soft furniture, or their mouths and noses are covered by or pressed against a plastic bag.
• Children can suffocate when they become trapped in and are unable to escape from household appliances, such as refrigerators or dryers, and toy chest.
• In 1993, cribs were involved in nearly two-thirds of all nursery product-related deaths among infants. The majority of these deaths were suffocation and strangulations. Cribs are responsible for about 50 strangulations and suffocation deaths each year.
• It is estimated that as many as 30 percent of the 6,000 infants whose deaths were attributed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) each year were found in potentially suffocating environments; with their faces straight down and their noses and mouths covered by soft bedding.

Choking

• Children are at risk from choking on small, round foods such as hot dogs, candies, nuts, grapes and popcorn. Nonfood items tend to be round or pliable objects, including coins, balloons and small balls.
• Children ages 3 and under are at the greatest risk from choking on food and small objects and account for approximately two-thirds of all choking deaths and injuries among children.
• An estimated one-third of choking deaths among, children ages 4 and under are from food and two-thirds are from nonfood objects and materials.
• Balloons are the most common cause of choking deaths among children.
• Coins, especially pennies, are the most common item ingested resulting in childhood choking injuries.

Strangulation

• Strangulation occurs among children when consumer products wrap around their necks, such as clothing drawstrings, ribbons or other decorations, necklaces, pacifier strings and window blind and drapery cords.
• From January 1985 through September 1995, 17 children died and 42 were injured from entangled children's clothing drawstrings. More than two-thirds involved the hood/neck drawstrings.
• Since 1981, more than 170 children, primarily children ages 4 and under, have strangled on window covering cords. The majority occur when the cord is hanging near the floor or crib or when furniture is placed near the cord. Children ages 2 and under are at greatest risk.
• Children strangle in openings that permit the passage of their bodies, yet too small for and entrap their heads, including cribs, bunk bed guardrails, playground equipment, baby strollers and carriages and high chairs.

WHO IS AT RISK

• Young children under age 3 are at greatest risk for all forms of suffocation.
• Children ages 3 and older are more likely to choke on balloons and other conforming objects than children under age 3.
• Male, low income and non-Caucasian children are at greatest risk from suffocations, chokings and strangulations.

AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION PREVENTION LAWS AND REGULATIONS

• The Child Safety Protection Act requires choking hazard warning labels on packaging for small balls, balloons, marbles and certain toys and games having small parts that are intended for use by children ages 3 to 6. This Act also bans any toy intended for use by children under age 3 that may pose a choking, aspiration or ingestion hazard.
• The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued voluntary guidelines for drawstrings on children's clothing to prevent children from strangling or getting entangled in the neck and waist drawstrings of upper outerwear garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts.

PREVENTION TIPS

• Always supervise small children while eating and playing. Keep round, hard goods like grapes, popcorn, nuts and raisins, as well as small items such as coins, safety pins, jewelry and buttons out of children's reach. Learn First Aid and CPR.
• Consider purchasing a "no-choke testing tube" or use a toilet paper tube to test for small toys and objects in your home that may present a choking hazard to children. If the object goes through the tube, the toy is too small for a child less than 3 years of age.
• Ensure that children play with age-appropriate toys according to safety labels. Inspect old and new toys regularly for damage. Make any necessary repairs or discard damaged toys.
• Place infants on their backs or sides and on a firm, flat crib mattress in a crib that meets national safety standards -- look for a JPMA certification label. Remove pillows comforters, toys and other soft products from the crib.
• Remove hood and neck drawstrings from all children's outerwear. Never allow children to wear necklaces, purse, scarves or clothing with drawstrings on playgrounds to prevent strangulation.
• Tie up all window blind and drapery cords or cut the ends and retrofit with safety tassels. Never hang anything on or above a crib with string or ribbon longer than seven inches.

Last UPdate:  03 April 2002