In an unimaginable tragedy, the mother of an 8-year-old boy is urgently urging parents to reconsider buying helium balloons after her son’s life was tragically taken by one at his birthday party.
Stock photo of balloons. Credit / Shutterstock
A Joyous Day Turns to Heartbreak
Little Joshua Dunbar, a bright and energetic 8-year-old, was excited to celebrate his birthday with family and friends. The house was filled with balloons and party hats, as his family made memories on this special day. However, just hours after the festivities ended, tragedy struck.
On April 27, 2024, Joshua was found unresponsive in his bedroom. A large helium-filled number-eight balloon, meant to mark his milestone birthday, hovered above him. Despite frantic attempts to revive him, Joshua’s life could not be saved.
Joshua’s mother, Carly, described the traumatic moment: “You can’t erase it from your mind. You hear the screams, the sirens. You hear the doctor’s words, saying to you that they’re really sorry. It was time for him.” Carly shared that she and her husband held their son’s hands and gave him their blessing to peacefully let go. Within moments, Joshua passed away.
Cause of Death: Helium Balloon
At an inquest into his death, the coroner revealed that the cause was “consistent with asphyxia involving a helium balloon.” Though helium itself isn’t toxic, it displaces oxygen, and without enough oxygen, Joshua could no longer breathe.
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The coroner explained that Joshua might have been unaware of the danger or possibly tried to inhale the helium to change his voice, something many children are curious about. Unfortunately, this curiosity led to a deadly accident. The coroner called it “one of the most tragic of accidents,” and reflected on the unbearable pain parents feel when they lose a child.
A Mother’s Plea to Protect Other Families
Following the loss of her son, Carly turned to social media, urging others to avoid buying helium-filled balloons. “There is no cure for a broken heart or the pain of losing your child,” she wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post. “Please trust me when I say do not buy your children helium balloons. Every day since, I’ve hated myself for buying that balloon that took our boy.”
Carly hopes that by sharing her story, she can prevent another family from experiencing the same pain. She urges parents to stick with air-filled balloons, emphasizing that they are just as beautiful but far safer.
“I would never want another child to lose their life, another family to feel what we feel every single day,” Carly says. “If one, two, three people stop and think, and take onboard what I’m saying, and don’t buy a helium balloon, that’s one child’s death being prevented.”
A Call to Action
Carly’s heartbreaking loss has turned into a powerful call for change. Her message is simple yet life-saving: avoid helium-filled balloons. While they may seem harmless, as Carly learned, the consequences can be deadly.
So, the next time you’re planning a birthday or celebration, consider her warning and opt for air-filled balloons to protect the lives of our children.
