PSA: Popcorn is a choking hazard for kiddos under 4

kit443 · December 2010

Some links:

https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/health/25choke.html

https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/08/17/earlyshow/main636645.shtml

Daisy582 · December 2010

Did I miss a popcorn discussion?

GingerBabyJ · December 2010

Luckily I assumed that. and I am loving the new siggy!

I also wish there was a kiss emoticon on here.

kit443 · December 2010

Nah - I just noticed a siggy with kid eating popcorn so I thought I would share.

fairychick77 · December 2010

Good info.

And blunt card cracks me up Yes

Joey Amanda · December 2010

i just had that talk with dh... I came home one night and he excitedly said M LOVES popcorn! i was just like Indifferent

unfortunately i think that is one things don't normally think about!

ToledoDeux · December 2010

My mom and MIL both think I am crazy paranoid for not allowing my kids to have popcorn. MIL even walked in here at Thanksgiving with a HUGE Sam's Club-sized thing of cheese popcorn, and presented it to DD1. I had to swoop in and then hide it and tell MIL AGAIN: "they are too young for popcorn."

I know she and my mom shared a good eyeroll behind my back. lol!

macchiatto · December 2010

Yeah, I know a 5 y/o who died while eating popcorn--just sitting down, eating popcorn, it's not like he was running around or anything--so I'm going to be paranoid about it for a while. The fact that it's an inhalation hazard and not just a choking hazard is what makes it especially dangerous.

GingerBabyJ · December 2010

macchiatto:
Yeah, I know a 5 y/o who died while eating popcorn--just sitting down, eating popcorn, it's not like he was running around or anything--so I'm going to be paranoid about it for a while. The fact that it's an inhalation hazard and not just a choking hazard is what makes it especially dangerous.

Holy crap that is terrible!

Echowysp · December 2010

KateB1984:
Thanks for posting this. A family friend is a retired ambulance driver and he saw multiple popcorn deaths over his career. He said it's frequently eaten while watching something (a movie, a parade, some other show, etc) so it's even riskier because kids are excited and distracted. He brought it up when he saw me cutting grapes for my 2.5 y/o (most of my mom friends stopped cutting grapes at 18-24 months) and still teared up talking about those kids.

So then should none of us eat popcorn?

Maybe I'm lax about stuff like this, but shiit happens. We rarely eat popcorn, but if ds wants a few pieces, I'm not going to worry about it. People can die from tripping on their own feet.

kit443 · December 2010

IDK echo - they can inhale the popcorn into their lungs, and this is more of a concern when they are little. If you want to feed your kids popcorn that is fine, but some people don't realize how much of a danger it can be.

monica93555 · December 2010

Echowysp:

KateB1984:
Thanks for posting this. A family friend is a retired ambulance driver and he saw multiple popcorn deaths over his career. He said it's frequently eaten while watching something (a movie, a parade, some other show, etc) so it's even riskier because kids are excited and distracted. He brought it up when he saw me cutting grapes for my 2.5 y/o (most of my mom friends stopped cutting grapes at 18-24 months) and still teared up talking about those kids.

So then should none of us eat popcorn?

Maybe I'm lax about stuff like this, but shiit happens. We rarely eat popcorn, but if ds wants a few pieces, I'm not going to worry about it. People can die from tripping on their own feet.

I'm sure more kids died from choking on popcorn than people did from tripping over their own feet. I think the person who posted this wasn't attacking any one person but instead informing us of the facts. I appreciate knowing about these statistics.

ToledoDeux · December 2010

Echowysp:
KateB1984:
Thanks for posting this. A family friend is a retired ambulance driver and he saw multiple popcorn deaths over his career. He said it's frequently eaten while watching something (a movie, a parade, some other show, etc) so it's even riskier because kids are excited and distracted. He brought it up when he saw me cutting grapes for my 2.5 y/o (most of my mom friends stopped cutting grapes at 18-24 months) and still teared up talking about those kids.
So then should none of us eat popcorn?
Maybe I'm lax about stuff like this, but shiit happens. We rarely eat popcorn, but if ds wants a few pieces, I'm not going to worry about it. People can die from tripping on their own feet.

Uh, no. Just kids. Unless you often find yourself choking on grapes or hot dogs, too.

Echowysp · December 2010

ToledoDeux:
Echowysp:
KateB1984:
Thanks for posting this. A family friend is a retired ambulance driver and he saw multiple popcorn deaths over his career. He said it's frequently eaten while watching something (a movie, a parade, some other show, etc) so it's even riskier because kids are excited and distracted. He brought it up when he saw me cutting grapes for my 2.5 y/o (most of my mom friends stopped cutting grapes at 18-24 months) and still teared up talking about those kids.
So then should none of us eat popcorn?
Maybe I'm lax about stuff like this, but shiit happens. We rarely eat popcorn, but if ds wants a few pieces, I'm not going to worry about it. People can die from tripping on their own feet.
Uh, no. Just kids. Unless you often find yourself choking on grapes or hot dogs, too.

The point was that it was an inhalation problem, not a choking problem.

I was asking an honest question. No need for the 'tude.

monica93555 · December 2010

ToledoDeux:
Echowysp:

KateB1984:
Thanks for posting this. A family friend is a retired ambulance driver and he saw multiple popcorn deaths over his career. He said it's frequently eaten while watching something (a movie, a parade, some other show, etc) so it's even riskier because kids are excited and distracted. He brought it up when he saw me cutting grapes for my 2.5 y/o (most of my mom friends stopped cutting grapes at 18-24 months) and still teared up talking about those kids.

So then should none of us eat popcorn?

Maybe I'm lax about stuff like this, but shiit happens. We rarely eat popcorn, but if ds wants a few pieces, I'm not going to worry about it. People can die from tripping on their own feet.

Uh, no. Just kids. Unless you often find yourself choking on grapes or hot dogs, too.

Lol!

READ THE ARTICLES PEOPLE!!! IT EXPLAINS IT ALL!

monica93555 · December 2010

ToledoDeux:
Echowysp:

KateB1984:
Thanks for posting this. A family friend is a retired ambulance driver and he saw multiple popcorn deaths over his career. He said it's frequently eaten while watching something (a movie, a parade, some other show, etc) so it's even riskier because kids are excited and distracted. He brought it up when he saw me cutting grapes for my 2.5 y/o (most of my mom friends stopped cutting grapes at 18-24 months) and still teared up talking about those kids.

So then should none of us eat popcorn?

Maybe I'm lax about stuff like this, but shiit happens. We rarely eat popcorn, but if ds wants a few pieces, I'm not going to worry about it. People can die from tripping on their own feet.

Uh, no. Just kids. Unless you often find yourself choking on grapes or hot dogs, too.

Lol!

READ THE ARTICLES PEOPLE!!! IT EXPLAINS IT ALL!

Echowysp · December 2010

monica93555:
Echowysp:

KateB1984:
Thanks for posting this. A family friend is a retired ambulance driver and he saw multiple popcorn deaths over his career. He said it's frequently eaten while watching something (a movie, a parade, some other show, etc) so it's even riskier because kids are excited and distracted. He brought it up when he saw me cutting grapes for my 2.5 y/o (most of my mom friends stopped cutting grapes at 18-24 months) and still teared up talking about those kids.

So then should none of us eat popcorn?

Maybe I'm lax about stuff like this, but shiit happens. We rarely eat popcorn, but if ds wants a few pieces, I'm not going to worry about it. People can die from tripping on their own feet.

I'm sure more kids died from choking on popcorn than people did from tripping over their own feet. I think the person who posted this wasn't attacking any one person but instead informing us of the facts. I appreciate knowing about these statistics.

oh, I'm not saying that they were attacking or that it's bad information to have. I just think it's a bit overkill. Life has dangers. The odds are very slim. They also don't recommend eating raw vegetables, nuts or apples until age 5, but I'm sure most of us will feed our 4 year old an apple.

kit443 · December 2010

Echo do you think the same thing could be said about RF vs FF? The chances of getting into the kind of accident that it would make a difference are really small - BUT there is a chance, and if kiddo was RF the outcome is better.

The chances are small that kiddo will inhale popcorn - but if he does then there is a real problem.

newguardwife · December 2010

I won't be giving my DS popcorn until he is 4. There is a young woman at our church who choked on popcorn at the age of 3 and ended up with severe cerebral palsey (sp?).

NewMrs07 · December 2010

Echowysp:
monica93555:
Echowysp:

KateB1984:
Thanks for posting this. A family friend is a retired ambulance driver and he saw multiple popcorn deaths over his career. He said it's frequently eaten while watching something (a movie, a parade, some other show, etc) so it's even riskier because kids are excited and distracted. He brought it up when he saw me cutting grapes for my 2.5 y/o (most of my mom friends stopped cutting grapes at 18-24 months) and still teared up talking about those kids.

So then should none of us eat popcorn?

Maybe I'm lax about stuff like this, but shiit happens. We rarely eat popcorn, but if ds wants a few pieces, I'm not going to worry about it. People can die from tripping on their own feet.

I'm sure more kids died from choking on popcorn than people did from tripping over their own feet. I think the person who posted this wasn't attacking any one person but instead informing us of the facts. I appreciate knowing about these statistics.
oh, I'm not saying that they were attacking or that it's bad information to have. I just think it's a bit overkill. Life has dangers. The odds are very slim. They also don't recommend eating raw vegetables, nuts or apples until age 5, but I'm sure most of us will feed our 4 year old an apple.

You can feed your toddler an apple, just cut it up into little pieces. The point is to prevent choking. And it's not something to be taken lightly by the way. When I eat popcorn, sometimes little pieces get stuck in my throat. I'm an adult so I just drink water and it's OK, but for a child that could be deadly. Just 1 child dying from eating popcorn is too many IMO, and I do think that there should be warnings on popcorn boxes.

Echowysp · December 2010

kit443:
Echo do you think the same thing could be said about RF vs FF? The chances of getting into the kind of accident that it would make a difference are really small - BUT there is a chance, and if kiddo was RF the outcome is better.

The chances are small that kiddo will inhale popcorn - but if he does then there is a real problem.

I know what you're saying. To me, we drive every day along with tons of other drivers, who I can't control how well they are going to aim their 1,500 pound vehicle a few feet away from my kids. They are already rear facing, so why bother turning them around now?

The odds of getting in an accident is much, much higher than the odds of my LO choking on a piece of popcorn. It's a risk, but not a large enough one for me to freak out if he has a piece. Every food is a risk. He's just not exposed to popcorn that much at all.

Now, if someone reads this and decides not to feed their kids popcorn, then awesome. I've even told people about the risk to let them know.

kit443 · December 2010

My only intention with this thread was to let people know that popcorn is more than a simple choking hazard. I really don't give two shiits if people want to feed it to their kids - as long as they know the risks.

**sunny** · December 2010

the point is that there's no need to feed your kid popcorn. it's super duper easily avoidable. just don't do it. problem solved, no need to worry about even the small risk of it happening.

is there some huge joy in life that comes from consuming popcorn with your small child? feed them something else for a few years and save the popcorn for your movie dates for the time being.

mfransdell · December 2010

Echowysp:

KateB1984:
Thanks for posting this. A family friend is a retired ambulance driver and he saw multiple popcorn deaths over his career. He said it's frequently eaten while watching something (a movie, a parade, some other show, etc) so it's even riskier because kids are excited and distracted. He brought it up when he saw me cutting grapes for my 2.5 y/o (most of my mom friends stopped cutting grapes at 18-24 months) and still teared up talking about those kids.

So then should none of us eat popcorn?

Maybe I'm lax about stuff like this, but shiit happens. We rarely eat popcorn, but if ds wants a few pieces, I'm not going to worry about it. People can die from tripping on their own feet.

Totally! They could die at any time, why bother taking a silly precaution? Hmm

kada626 · December 2010

OP- you are awesome for posting this. A lot of people don't realize how dangerous popcorn can be. Kids do die from inhaling popcorn. It's tragic because it's so preventable.

monica93555 · December 2010

NewMrs07:
Echowysp:
monica93555:
Echowysp:

KateB1984:
Thanks for posting this. A family friend is a retired ambulance driver and he saw multiple popcorn deaths over his career. He said it's frequently eaten while watching something (a movie, a parade, some other show, etc) so it's even riskier because kids are excited and distracted. He brought it up when he saw me cutting grapes for my 2.5 y/o (most of my mom friends stopped cutting grapes at 18-24 months) and still teared up talking about those kids.

So then should none of us eat popcorn?

Maybe I'm lax about stuff like this, but shiit happens. We rarely eat popcorn, but if ds wants a few pieces, I'm not going to worry about it. People can die from tripping on their own feet.

I'm sure more kids died from choking on popcorn than people did from tripping over their own feet. I think the person who posted this wasn't attacking any one person but instead informing us of the facts. I appreciate knowing about these statistics.

oh, I'm not saying that they were attacking or that it's bad information to have. I just think it's a bit overkill. Life has dangers. The odds are very slim. They also don't recommend eating raw vegetables, nuts or apples until age 5, but I'm sure most of us will feed our 4 year old an apple.

You can feed your toddler an apple, just cut it up into little pieces. The point is to prevent choking. And it's not something to be taken lightly by the way. When I eat popcorn, sometimes little pieces get stuck in my throat. I'm an adult so I just drink water and it's OK, but for a child that could be deadly. Just 1 child dying from eating popcorn is too many IMO, and I do think that there should be warnings on popcorn boxes.

Very good point! I completely agree with everything you said here. This is really serious and it worries me that parents aren't taking it like that.

monica93555 · December 2010

mfransdell:
Echowysp:

KateB1984:
Thanks for posting this. A family friend is a retired ambulance driver and he saw multiple popcorn deaths over his career. He said it's frequently eaten while watching something (a movie, a parade, some other show, etc) so it's even riskier because kids are excited and distracted. He brought it up when he saw me cutting grapes for my 2.5 y/o (most of my mom friends stopped cutting grapes at 18-24 months) and still teared up talking about those kids.

So then should none of us eat popcorn?

Maybe I'm lax about stuff like this, but shiit happens. We rarely eat popcorn, but if ds wants a few pieces, I'm not going to worry about it. People can die from tripping on their own feet.

Totally! They could die at any time, why bother taking a silly precaution?

Ugggh, I sooo want to argue with this but I'll just leave it alone. What it boils down to is this is a matter of opinion and not fact... apparently.

monica93555 · December 2010

kada626:
OP- you are awesome for posting this. A lot of people don't realize how dangerous popcorn can be. Kids do die from inhaling popcorn. It's tragic because it's so preventable.

Yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

mfransdell · December 2010

monica93555:
mfransdell:
Echowysp:

KateB1984:
Thanks for posting this. A family friend is a retired ambulance driver and he saw multiple popcorn deaths over his career. He said it's frequently eaten while watching something (a movie, a parade, some other show, etc) so it's even riskier because kids are excited and distracted. He brought it up when he saw me cutting grapes for my 2.5 y/o (most of my mom friends stopped cutting grapes at 18-24 months) and still teared up talking about those kids.

So then should none of us eat popcorn?

Maybe I'm lax about stuff like this, but shiit happens. We rarely eat popcorn, but if ds wants a few pieces, I'm not going to worry about it. People can die from tripping on their own feet.

Totally! They could die at any time, why bother taking a silly precaution?

Ugggh, I sooo want to argue with this but I'll just leave it alone. What it boils down to is this is a matter of opinion and not fact... apparently.

My sarcasm didnt read well apparently. I added a Hmm

so it's totally clear.

blushingbrideoct07 · December 2010

I, for one, did not know that popcorn was a choking/inhalation hazard. Thankfully I have never given G popcorn and now do not plan on it. Thanks Kit for posting this. Learning new information like this is one of the reasons why I still come to the bump everyday.

Echowysp · December 2010

monica93555:
mfransdell:
Echowysp:

KateB1984:
Thanks for posting this. A family friend is a retired ambulance driver and he saw multiple popcorn deaths over his career. He said it's frequently eaten while watching something (a movie, a parade, some other show, etc) so it's even riskier because kids are excited and distracted. He brought it up when he saw me cutting grapes for my 2.5 y/o (most of my mom friends stopped cutting grapes at 18-24 months) and still teared up talking about those kids.

So then should none of us eat popcorn?

Maybe I'm lax about stuff like this, but shiit happens. We rarely eat popcorn, but if ds wants a few pieces, I'm not going to worry about it. People can die from tripping on their own feet.

Totally! They could die at any time, why bother taking a silly precaution?

Ugggh, I sooo want to argue with this but I'll just leave it alone. What it boils down to is this is a matter of opinion and not fact... apparently.

Oh, I believe it to be fact. I never said I didn't. I just said that it's not something that I'm going to be overly worried about. We have popcorn about once a year and if ds gets a few kernels, it's a risk I'm comfortable with. If it worries someone, then I'm all for them following the suggestion.

SailorGray · December 2010

blushingbrideoct07:
I, for one, did not know that popcorn was a choking/inhalation hazard. Thankfully I have never given G popcorn and now do not plan on it. Thanks Kit for posting this. Learning new information like this is one of the reasons why I still come to the bump everyday.

I didn't know either. We aren't huge popcorn eaters, but it's always good to know. Thanks, OP.

Want a personalized experience?

PSA: Popcorn is a choking hazard for kiddos under 4

Re: PSA: Popcorn is a choking hazard for kiddos under 4

Choose Another Board

Search Boards