A coroner is calling for stronger warnings on helium after a mother died at her daughter’s first birthday party.
The 20-year-old Te Puke woman bought a “parties for everyone” branded canister of helium to blow up balloons at her daughter’s party on September 24, 2022.
During the party, her husband inhaled the helium to make his voice higher. The woman did the same, but fell to the ground and became unresponsive.
She was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene.
The coroner found her death was caused by hypoxia, low blood oxygen levels caused by the helium displacing the oxygen in her lungs.
“It can be considered funny and entertaining in a party environment to inhale helium which produces a high-pitched noise similar to that of a chipmunk,” the coroner’s report said.
“This is a known party pleaser. Many people are however unaware of the potential threats of inhaling helium in such a situation. What may seem like harmless fun is potentially life threatening.”
The coroner noted that several warnings were written on the canister, but said they were in “very small print”.
“I am concerned that the warning sign advising of the dangers of helium inhalation is not given sufficient prominence on the canister.”
The coroner recommended that a clear warning stating “DO NOT INHALE – RISK OF SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH” be printed in bold at the top of the canister.
By Felix Walton of rnz.co.nz
