08 July 2023 , 07:39
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A concerning video has shown why parents should think twice before giving their children marshmallows.
Ex-paramedic Nikki Jurcutz says the chewy treats are a choking danger and should not be given to kids under the age of four. She said they are difficult to swallow as they become more and more sticky, putting youngster at risk of having their airways clogged.
To illustrate the danger Nikki shared a video to her Instagram page, tinyheatseducation.
She wrote: “This is why marshmallows are such a high risk choking food. You can modify marshmallows to make them safer by cutting them into smaller pieces or swap out for mini marshmallows instead.
It showed how the treats become sticky (Instagram/@tinyheartseducation)
Many parents replied with their own scary experiences (Instagram/@tinyheartseducation)“Modifying foods is a great way to makes foods safer for your little one.”
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In the video she says: “Their round shape means they could completely block off the entire airway. When they’re wet they become sticky and more difficult to swallow and be more difficult to clear from airways.”
Using a section of clear tubing she then compared how difficult it is to clear marshmallow from an airway, compared to a grape. The sticky treat refused to budge when hit a number of times, while the grape eventually slid down the tube.
One parent replied with their own terrifying experience with the sticky treat, saying: “I’ve witnessed this firsthand as a mum turned her back to her toddler eating one and he went downhill very fast, we had to act fast. He was ok.”
Another shared: “I have witnessed a child (not mine) choking on a marshmallow and I will never forget the look of fear on his face as he was unable to breathe. Luckily with black blows it cleared but they are a big no for me.”
Another added: “So glad you posted this, I feel like I get looked at weird when I’m hesitant to feed my two-year-old marshmallows. ‘But they are soft, they melt in the mouth’ is the response I get, I can’t explain it better than this video.”
One parent replied to the footage: “It’s funny how times have changed, I’ve had six children with the youngest now 12. We never had to cut fruit like grapes or not give marshmallows.”