Kedah Mum Warns Parents About Balloon Dangers After Son Nearly Dies During Birthday Party
"His face had turned blue, and his heart had already stopped," his mother shared.
Cover image via Nurul Huda Zulkhairi (Facebook)A joyful birthday celebration quickly turned into a nightmare for a family in Kulim, Kedah, after a 7-year-old boy nearly lost his life when a balloon became lodged in his airway, causing his heart to briefly stop
The boy, Uwais Al-Fateh, was celebrating his birthday with friends and family on 20 May when the incident occurred. His mother, Nurul Huda Zulkhairi, shared the harrowing experience in a detailed post on Facebook, warning other parents about the dangers of seemingly harmless objects like balloons.
According to her, the party was in full swing, with Uwais and his friends running around the house. He had been playing with an uninflated balloon, placing it in his mouth before choking on it.
Nurul said things escalated quickly when her brother-in-law noticed Uwais having trouble breathing. Within moments, the boy collapsed and turned blue. His heart had stopped.
Panicked, Uwais' father and a family friend, who happened to be a doctor, attempted CPR and other emergency procedures, believing he may have choked on food. Despite their efforts, Uwais remained unresponsive, prompting them to rush him to the hospital.
Image via Nurul Huda Zulkhairi (Facebook)
He was rushed to the emergency department of Kulim Hospital
Upon arrival, medical staff prepared to intubate the boy when they discovered a balloon obstructing his airway. Once it was removed, doctors performed CPR and managed to resuscitate him.
"Alhamdulillah, Allah returned my son's life to us," Nurul wrote, thanking the emergency team at the hospital and the paediatric ICU team at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital for their swift action and care.
She added that Uwais remains in stable condition, though he is still reliant on respiratory support and is under close monitoring for lung injuries, likely caused by the CPR efforts.
The family believes the incident happened while Uwais was joking around with a friend, putting the balloon in his mouth. Nurul shared the experience as a cautionary tale, urging parents not to overlook small risks.
"Something as small as an uninflated balloon nearly cost me my child's life.
"Please don't take these things lightly," she cautioned.
Image via Nurul Huda Zulkhairi (Facebook)
