Danger to life Danger of suffocation for toddlers through handkerchief packaging

Klebelaschen of paper handkerchief packaging a danger for toddlers
Infants are generally at increased risk of fatal accidents involving everyday items. Now, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) warns in a recent press release about possible suffocation in infants through the adhesive flaps of paper tissue packaging. Parents will get special attention.

The adhesive flaps of the packaging of paper handkerchiefs, if swallowed by infants and toddlers, can lead to dangerous health problems or suffocation attacks, according to the BfR. Although only a few cases were known, the consequences were sometimes dramatic. Here, therefore, a special attention of the parents is required.

The adhesive flap of handkerchief packaging can easily be swallowed by small children and, in the worst case, trigger asphyxiation. (Image: VRD / fotolia.com)

23 cases of swallowed adhesive pockets reported
"In the past ten years, BfR has been notified of a total of 23 cases of clinics and poison information centers that have swallowed such adhesive pockets," explains BfR President Professor Dr. med. Dr. Andreas Hensel. This does not necessarily have dramatic consequences. In addition to asymptomatic cases, however, the reported health disorders extended from mild respiratory distress to severe, life-threatening respiratory distress, reports the BfR.

Tabs can stick in the pharynx
Due to their crackling properties, parents like to give paper handkerchiefs their toys as a toy for grasping or distracting, BfR reports. But the adhesive tabs can easily be loosened and swallowed. "If ingested, the tab may stick in the pharynx and hinder breathing," continues the BfR. To make matters worse, that adhesive tabs are often made of transparent material, which is why the tab in the throat by parents or doctors is sometimes barely recognizable.

Handkerchief packaging not a suitable children's toy
If the adhesive flap is swallowed without affecting the respiration, it is generally unproblematic for the gastrointestinal tract and is excreted naturally again, according to the BfR. However, guardians should not take unnecessary risks here. "Preventively, we advise all parents not to use packagings with adhesive flaps as toys for infants and toddlers," emphasizes BfR President Professor Hensel. (Fp)