A seven-year-old Tennessee girl died after suffocating from one of her birthday balloons – a large 34-inch rainbow Mylar number balloon inflated with helium.
Alexandra Hope Kelly had just celebrated her seventh birthday on September 27 and was popping latex balloons a week later on October 1 when the accident happened.
Mother Channa Kelly was in the room with Alexandra to make sure she didn’t choke on the latex balloons. Later she went to her bedroom and allowed Alexandra to play with the Mylar ‘7’ balloon while she slept.
But horror awaited Kelly when she woke up and came downstairs to see the deflated Mylar balloon around Alexandra’s head.
Although the single mother removed the balloon, called 911 and immediately began CPR – which was taken over by emergency personnel as soon as they arrived – Alexandra could not be saved.
Alexandra Hope Kelly had just celebrated her seventh birthday on September 27 and was popping a bunch of latex balloons a week later on October 1 when the accident happened
Mother Channa Kelly was in the room with Alexandra to make sure she didn’t choke on the latex balloons
Later she went to her bedroom and allowed Alexandra to play with the Mylar ‘7’ balloon while she slept. But horror awaited Kelly when she woke up and came downstairs to see the deflated Mylar balloon around Alexandra’s head
It is not yet known whether she died of helium poisoning or asphyxiation. Her autopsy report is expected to come in four to six months.
In a Facebook post, Kelly wrote: ‘For her birthday party I bought a large 34 inch rainbow Mylar number 7 balloon inflated with helium, as seen below, along with about 10 Roblox themed latex balloons.
Alexandra’s obituary states that she loved to sing, dance and do arts and crafts projects
‘As a parent I was always aware of the choking hazard of latex balloons but never thought there was such a risk with these very large Mylar helium filled balloons. A week after her birthday party, I sat with her as she popped all her latex balloons.
‘Alex asked if she could pop her big 7 balloon and I said fine. I went to my bedroom unaware of any dangers with this type of balloon. I fell asleep briefly and when I woke up, I found my daughter face down on the living room floor where I had left her.
‘For a moment I thought she had fallen asleep, but then noticed that the Mylar balloon was around her head. I quickly removed the balloon, called 911 and immediately began CPR. I asked the 911 operators to remind the steps of CPR because it had been so long since my last certification and I didn’t want to mess up, she said.
“A police officer arrived and took over CPR, followed by firefighters and paramedics. They worked tirelessly to try and bring her back, but their efforts to revive her were unsuccessful. I cried hysterically and was in complete shock and disbelief at what had just happened, that my daughter and only child was actually gone.’
Alexandra’s obituary says that she really liked to sing, dance and do arts and crafts projects. Besides her mother, she is survived by her grandparents, great-grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins.
Her funeral was held on October 6 and guests were asked to wear blue, the girl’s favorite color.
‘For a moment I thought she had fallen asleep, but then noticed that the Mylar balloon was around her head. I quickly removed the balloon, called 911 and immediately began CPR. I asked the 911 operators to remind the steps of CPR because it had been so long since my last certification and I didn’t want to mess up, Kelly said
Her funeral was held on October 6 and guests were asked to wear blue, in honor of the girl’s favorite color.
According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission data, balloons are the leading cause of suffocation death. Children end up sucking uninflated balloons into their mouths while trying to blow them up or eating balloon pieces after they are popped.
In both cases, balloons end up stuck in their throats and lungs, completely blocking their breathing.
Mylar balloons are made of NASA-developed nylon and coated with a metallic finish, making them more durable and ‘safer’.
But many times due to the different forms in which it is available, children do not realize and end up sucking the helium from the balloon which causes it to deflate and cover their head.
Kelly also wrote in her post: ‘I hope by sharing our story that I can bring awareness and educate parents about the dangers of not only latex balloons, but Mylar balloons as well. I hope and pray that this will prevent and save the lives of other children.’