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A paediatrician has issued a warning about a choking hazard she claims parents often dismiss – due to their belief it can be easily resolved. Dr Niamh Lynch, who regularly shares medical
advice via TikTok, told her followers that the dangers of ice cubes should not be ignored. "Every year I say ice cubes are a choking hazard and every year people in the comments section
get cross," she began in a video. "They say, 'Don't be silly - ice melts', but I bring to you the power of an experiment." Indeed, to illustrate her point, Dr
Lynch took an ice cube and a plastic tube, similar in size to an adult's airway. "If the child was choking and this was in their airway for 30 seconds, by now they'd be in
real distress," she explained. "And I can't imagine any parents just standing there watching their child really distressed and choking, but saying, 'Oh it's okay -
the ice is going to melt'." Dr Lynch went on to warn that after a further 30-second period, a child suffering the complete occlusion of their airway is going to be unconscious.
"The ice cube [at this point] is still big enough to be completely blocking their airway," she said. "I can't imagine anyone just sitting there waiting for the ice to
melt - it's a terrifying situation for the parents and the child." After two minutes, meanwhile, Dr Lynch revealed the ice cube would now be "small enough to let a little air
through". But even so – that's 120 seconds without the brain receiving oxygen. She closed by reiterating: "Ice cubes are a choking hazard. There are lots of other safer ways
to give your child ice or to cool them down - so please just, for your child's safety, avoid the ice cubes." The response of one TikTok user proved the doctor's point as she
recalled a harrowing incident from their childhood: "When I was eight years old I had an ice cube in my mouth, breathed in and inhaled it. I remember so vividly I couldn’t breathe, I
couldn’t swallow it, it was properly lodged. My mum smacked my back, nothing." They continued: "Swung me around and did the Heimlich on me three times and it popped out and flew
across the room. My mother saved my life that day, I hate to think what could have happened if she didn’t know the Heimlich. Unfortunately this occurrence later in life has given me a fear
of swallowing/choking on food and been in therapy." Similarly a second person remembered: "My sister literally saved my life, at 15 I bit down on a cube and half lodged in my
throat. Thank God she acted quick and did the Heimlich manoeuvre. I still panic remembering how that felt to have my breath cut off." A third TikTok user shared: "I myself when I
was younger choked on an ice cube and freaked out. And when my sister was younger – about three or four – she choked on an ice cube. I was home with her and I freaked out, had to massage her
throat and try to get it out and it was the most terrifying experience." Whilst a fourth praised Dr Lynch's advice: "I’m SO GLAD I’ve seen this - I totally agree it a huge
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