Balloons (toy)
Twenty years of CPSC NEISS emergency-room records for this consumer product category, combined with demographic breakdowns, multi-year injury trends, and matching recall notices.
Toys & Children's Recreation · CPSC Code 1347
Stable over 5 years
The verdict
Balloons (toy) carry a danger score of 36/100 (low risk), driven by roughly 3,709 ER-treated injuries a year that are roughly flat over the last five years.
- 36/100
- danger score (low risk)
- 3,709
- ER visits per year (avg)
- 4.4%
- end in hospital admission
- 5-14
- most-injured age group
Every figure is rendered from the CPSC NEISS record for product code 1347 - last data year 2024.
PlainSafety danger score
How this 36/100 score is built
The score is computed from four CPSC-derived factors for balloons (toy) - no opinion, no editorializing:
- Injury volume3,709 ER visits/yr
- Severity (hospitalization rate)4.4%
- Fatality rate0.01%
- 5-year trend+1%
See the full methodology for the exact weighting of each factor.
What the CPSC Data Shows
Balloons (toy) (CPSC product code 1347, in the Toys & Children's Recreation category) generate an estimated 3,709 emergency-room visits every year in the United States, adding up to roughly 74,183 ER-treated injuries across the 20-year span from 2005 to 2024. PlainSafety derives a danger score of 36/100 for this category (low risk), combining raw injury volume, demographic reach, severity of outcome, and multi-year trend. The five-year trajectory shows that injury counts are roughly flat over the last five years, with the busiest year on record being 2024 (5,243 estimated ER visits) and the quietest 2005 (2,585 estimated visits).
The single most common ER diagnosis for balloons (toy) is ingestion to the internal, accounting for approximately 8,974 visits across the 20-year NEISS window, followed by internal injury to the head (4,830 cases). The 5-14 age group absorbs the largest share of injuries, about 26,082 cases over the NEISS window, and males appear slightly more often than the opposite sex in that cohort. Severity outcomes from the NEISS disposition field show that 4.4% of ER visits involving this product end in hospital admission or transfer, and a small fraction (0.01%) result in fatality.
Beyond the hospital-sampled NEISS projections, this page also aggregates 10 consumer incident reports filed directly on SaferProducts.gov, plus 20 anonymized ER narratives - together forming a layered picture of how balloons (toy) fail in real households. Every figure on this page comes from CPSC-published data: NEISS projects national estimates from a probability sample of about 100 U.S. hospital emergency departments, while SaferProducts.gov collects voluntary reports from consumers, manufacturers, and clinicians. The danger score, trend indicators, and demographic breakdowns update automatically when CPSC releases a new yearly NEISS file, which is why this page is dated 2024-12-31. For regulatory context, consult CPSC recall notices and the SaferProducts.gov public database linked below.
Annual Injury Estimates (2005–2024)
Source: CPSC NEISS national estimates CPSC NEISS national estimates Injuries represent ER-treated cases only
Who Gets Injured?
| Age Group | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 12,843 | 7,180 | |
| 5-14 | 15,797 | 10,280 | |
| 15-24 | 4,093 | 5,656 | |
| 25-34 | 3,167 | 3,955 | |
| 35-44 | 1,824 | 2,534 | |
| 45-54 | 671 | 2,016 | |
| 55-64 | 379 | 1,382 | |
| 65-74 | 423 | 670 | |
| 75+ | 433 | 850 |
Most Common Injuries
| Body Part | Diagnosis | Est. Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| Internal | Ingestion | |
| Head | Internal Injury | |
| Eyeball | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Face | Laceration | |
| All Parts Body | Poisoning | |
| Ankle | Strain, Sprain | |
| Face | Foreign Body | |
| Eyeball | Other | |
| Face | Contusions, Abr. | |
| All Parts Body | Other | |
| Head | Laceration | |
| Head | Concussion | |
| Mouth | Laceration | |
| Finger | Laceration | |
| Internal | Aspiration |
Severity Breakdown
ER Visit Narratives
Real anonymized emergency room reports from the CPSC NEISS database.
7YOF SWALLOWED A FOREIGN OBJECT THIS MORNING AT SCHOOL. STATES SHE SWALLOWED A BUNCH OF BALLOONS. DX: FOREIGN BODY INGESTION
31 YOM PT C/O EAR PAIN MAY HAVE SOMETHING EAR DX FB EAR PIECE OF BALLOON
3 YOM JUMPED ON A BALLOON, FELL AND HIT OTTOMAN DX; SCALP LAC
6YOF TRIPPED OVER A BALLOON AT HOME AND FELL FORWARD LANDING ON HER RIGHT ARM DX: CLOSED SUPRACONDYLAR FRACTURE OF RIGHT HUMERUS
3 YOF. LIP LAC AFTER PT WAS CHEWING ON A BALLON & IT POPPED IN HER MOUTH. DX: LIP LACERATION
11YOM TO ER W/ MOM FOR COMPLAINT OF LOC X 1 HR, PER MOM PT WAS INHALING HELIUM FROM A BALLOON WHEN HE HAD LOC & FELL ON A SHOE RACK, NO HEAD INJURY, PT HAS NO MEMORY OF FALL BUT REMEMBERS EVERTHING ELSE DX SYNCOPE, INHALATION OF GASEOUS SUBSTANCE, ACCIDDENTAL
23 YOM AT CHILDS PARTY, STOMPING ON BALLOON TO POP IT, HURT FOOT ON FLOOR DX FOOT PAIN
41YOM, BROUGHT IN POLICE CUSTODY AFTER INSERTING A BALLOON FILLED WITH MARIJUANA INTO HIS RECTUM, DX: FOREIGN BODY IN ANUS AND RECTUM
42YOM, BROUGHT FROM THE LOCK UP REPORTEDLY INSERTED A BALLOON FULL OF DRUGS INTO HIS RECTUM, DX: FOREIGN BODY OF RECTUM
38YOF WAS REACHING INTO HER CAR TO GET THE BALLOONS SHE BOUGHT AND DEVELOPED LOWER BACK PAIN. DX: LUMBAR STR
3YOM WAS GETTING HIS HAIRCUT WHEN HE WAS GIVEN A BALLOON ON A PLASTIC STICK AND STICK HIT HIM IN THE RIGHT EYE DX: RIGHT CORNEAL ABRASION
5YOM HAD RIGHT ARM TWISTED BY SISTER WHEN SISTER TRIED TO GRAB A BALLOON FROM HIM 1 DAY AGO. DX: NURSEMAID'S ELBOW.
Consumer Incident Reports
Reports filed by consumers on SaferProducts.gov.
so it was a friday evening my childs birthday party and then he inhaled helium from a ballon and when he did it it popped in his mouth and he choked for hours and now he is in the ICU about to die
- We ordered the SOPPYCID reusable water balloons (6 pack) on Amazon on 7/16/2024 for our children (5 years and 2 years) to play with in the pool. We have used them at most 15-20 times, each balloon probably much less. -My 2-year-old was playing with one of these balloons at the neighborhood baby pool a few days ago and I noticed a magnetic strip (long, thin, and needle-like) on the side of the pool. I picked it up and threw it away. Then yesterday (Friday, 6/27/25) we played with 5 of the balloons again at the neighborhood baby pool, and I noticed more of these magnetic, needle-thin strips coming out of the balloons. (The balloons are reusable in that they open and close using magnets inside of them.) I attempted to clean the strips off each balloon, but as I did, more and more appeared. -Then my 2-year-old complained of something hurting around his bottom; I looked inside his swimsuit and found one of these magnetic strips in the mesh lining of his shorts, and it was poking him. It did not break the skin but it left a red mark and was causing him pain. -They are so thin and do not have blunt ends, so they are sharp to the touch. - I am concerned that some of these magnetic strips fell out as we were tossing the balloons around the pool, and another small child may pick one up or get it in their bathing suit, creating a potential risk.
I purchased the RUBFAC 120 Ballons assorted color 12 Inches rainbow LATEX BLLONS 12 Color Bright party balloons for birthday baby shower wedding Party Supplies Arch Graland Decoration at Amazon .com website and when I received them at home on June 22nd of 2023 they smelled like dead fish . I got sick when I tried to bow them off and had burning in my throat . I called Amazon to notify them about this item ,but they were careless and they did NOT POST MY REVIEW about my experience with these balloons neither.I decided to report them here ,because this is the only way remaining to stop the Amazon's intoxicating items from being sold.
To whom it may concern, I am reaching out as we just experienced a dangerous experience regarding a product that we purchased on Amazon (and is highly reviewed / promoted by influencers). The reusable water balloons easily degrade leaking the metal / magnetic shavings. My children were playing with them for a full day before I realized that the black sand was indeed not sand but tiny magnetic particles. I am not sure what action to take for my childrens health but also want to ensure others are aware of risk. SOPPYCID Reusable Water Bomb... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4WFHDW9?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I live in a Public Housing complex for families, and people have been giving their kids water balloons to play with. These water balloons are littered all over the place around my apartment building, because that is what happens when kids throw water balloons. I can't take my toddler out of the house anymore because she keeps picking them up and putting them in her mouth and I'm scared she'll choke on them. I read stories about toddlers choking to death on water balloons. I even read a story about a kid swallowing a balloon and he died an agonizing death when it got wrapped around his intestines and pulled them apart. Water Balloon Labels include a warning that it's a choking hazard for children under 3. My kid is over 3 and she still puts them in her house. And the warning label isn't effective because these products are intended to be used outdoors, and balloons get littered all over the outdoors when they're used the way they're intended to be used. Simply choosing to not keep them in my house will not protect my kid, because my neighbors' kids littered them all over my neighborhood. Please ban water balloons.
This product is being used in her preschool. She believes that the latex balloon should be labeled for ages 8 and up. Many of the sellers list balloon toys for sale online and most that she viewed were for ages 3 and up. She looked at the products packaging and saw a small whistle, which she believes kids could choke on. She read information that indicated latex balloons should be intended for ages 8 & up.
Caller stated that when she opened up the package there was gas odor emanating from the balloons. She blew one of the balloons up and then started feeling ill. Heath symptoms included nausea and light headed. Caller stated that it lingered for a few hours before it dissipated. Caller stated that she did not contact the retailer or manufacturer as yet but she would be returning the balloons. Caller feels that these balloons are a health hazard and should be reported.
When the consumer tried blowing up balloons, air came back out into his mouth and left a film, which caused him to experienced a dried out feeling. He suspects he has an allergic reaction to the powder inside balloons. The consumer did not seek any further medical attention.
Showing 8 of 10 reports.
Product Recalls
Search for active and past recalls related to balloons (toy) on the CPSC website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How dangerous are balloons (toy)?
Based on 20 years of CPSC data, balloons (toy) have a danger score of 36/100 (low risk). An estimated 3,709 ER-treated injuries occur annually in the U.S. related to this product category.
What are the most common injuries from balloons (toy)?
The most common injury is ingestion to the internal, accounting for approximately 8,974 injuries over 20 years.
Are injuries from balloons (toy) increasing or decreasing?
Stable over 5 years.
Who is most at risk for balloons (toy) injuries?
The 5-14 age group accounts for the most injuries, with approximately 26,082 cases recorded over 20 years. Males are more frequently injured in this age group.
What happens when someone is injured by balloons (toy)?
Of all ER visits involving balloons (toy), approximately 4.4% result in hospital admission. The majority of patients (95.6%) are treated and released from the emergency department.
How can I report a safety problem with balloons (toy)?
You can file a consumer incident report at SaferProducts.gov, the official CPSC reporting portal. Reports help the CPSC identify emerging hazards and trigger investigations or recalls. You can also call the CPSC hotline at 1-800-638-2772.
Related Products in Toys & Children's Recreation
Safety Guides
What this means for you
Treat the 36/100 score as relative risk between products, not your personal odds of injury.
- See where this category ranks against every other tracked product. Full rankings
- Injuries cluster in the 5-14 age group, take extra care if that describes your household.
- Check for active recalls on this product before you assume it is safe. CPSC recalls
NEISS estimates ER-treated injuries from a national probability sample of hospitals; they do not capture injuries treated elsewhere or not treated at all.
Data: CPSC National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) 2005–2024 and SaferProducts.gov consumer incident reports. Injury estimates are based on a nationally representative probability sample of U.S. hospital emergency departments. This page is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the CPSC.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, scored, and verified.
