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A grieving mother in Tennessee wants to warn other families after she says her 7-year-old daughter died while popping birthday balloons last weekend.
"As a parent I was always aware of the choking hazard of latex balloons, but never imagined that there was such a risk regarding these very large Mylar helium filled balloons," Channa Kelly told Fox News Digital, explaining she had bought a mylar balloon and several latex ones for her daughter's birthday.
Kelly said she sat with her daughter Alexandra Hope as she popped the latex balloons after her birthday then told her she could pop the mylar balloon while she briefly left the room.
"I would have never imagined that she would have been able to fit this balloon over her head," she said. "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."
She said at first she thought Alexandra had fallen asleep but then she saw the balloon over her head.
"I quickly removed the balloon, called 911 and began CPR right away," she explained. "My entire world collapsed around me all because I was unaware of the risk surrounding these types of balloons."
Kelly said investigators don't know yet if Alexandra died from suffocation or helium poisoning.
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"I hope by sharing our story that I can bring awareness and educate parents about the dangers of not only latex balloons but also Mylar balloons," she said. "I hope and pray that this will prevent and save the life of other children. I wouldn’t want anyone else to experience the pain and devastation that the loss of a child brings."
Channa Kelly says her daughter Alexandra Hope died after putting a popped mylar birthday balloon over her head. (Channa Kelly)
Kelly told Fox News Digital Alexandra made all her "dreams come true" when she was born in September 2016.
"She was full of curiosity and had to ask questions about everything," she said. "She loved arts and crafts of all kinds, swimming at her grandparents pool, spending time with her cousin and friends. She was an excellent conversationalist and amazed me with her ability to understand and express herself. She put a smile on everyone’s face and brought so much joy and laughter into my life."
Channa Kelly called her daughter "vivacious" and "independent." (Channa Kelly)
Police in Clinton, Tennessee, said they’re investigating her death, WVLT-TV reported. Fox News Digital has reached out to police.
Balloons are the leading cause of suffocation deaths in children of all kids' products, the U.S. Consumer Protection Safety warns. Children can also choke on uninflated balloons or balloon pieces of after it’s popped.
Balloons are the leading cause of suffocation deaths in children of all kids' products, the U.S. Consumer Protection Safety warns. (Channa Kelly)
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"Because of the danger of suffocation, the CPSC recommends that parents and guardians do not allow children under the age of eight to play with uninflated balloons without supervision," the agency says. "The CPSC does not believe that a completely inflated balloon presents a hazard to young children. If the balloon breaks, however, CPSC recommends that parents immediately collect the pieces of the broken balloon and dispose of them out of the reach of young children."
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