Throw these in the bin, ER doctor urges everyone, but especially parents of young children.
As the matter of fact, home is where most accidents happen – by far. Which is no doubt the reason so many new parents baby proof their homes to within an inch of their lives, and why parents in general are so vigilant about safety, whether by keeping harsh cleaning products locked away or making sure to cut grapes and hotdogs to avoid these foods being a choking hazard.
However, an ER doctor has revealed the one product so many of us still have in our homes that can actually present a major safety risk for children if they use it – and to most of us, it is something we never even considered could be of any danger.
What is the item, you might wonder. And why is this medical professional so adamant about not using it?
Taking to TikTok, a Florida-based ER doctor reveals why she is not a fan of metal straws, and why she won’t even allow them in her house.
‘These have a really significant potential for injury. There is no give, and we are putting them in our mouth. We are drinking out of a cup or something. If someone bops you from behind, or bops the cup you are drinking, this can create puncture wound into the back of the mouth.’
She adds:
‘And generally, in the middle of the throat, over that uvula area, it is not that big of a deal. But if it is over that tonsil area… Behind that tonsil is a really big blood vessel called your carotid artery. Now, it is covered in a sheet, and there are some other things up in there, but this can cause pretty significant problems because that blood vessel brings blood directly to your brain.’
The ER doctor goes on to say:
‘And if you are not getting blood to your brain, that can cause you to have a stroke. There is also potential that you could just injure the blood vessel and have a lot of bleeding, and your airway is right there, and so putting pressure on that area can be difficult.’
She adds:
‘I know a lot of people like these because they are better for the environment, and they are reusable, but there have been lots of injuries reported. Not only oral puncture wounds, but there was also a case where it went into someone’s eye and into their brain, and they died.’
@beachgem10 I don’t like metal (or glass) straws! These rigid straws can cause puncture wounds to the back of the throat, and there are some important blood vessels there that can be injured, causing bleeding or strokes. I recommend silicone instead! #metalstraw #emergency #parents #straw #stanley ♬ original sound – Beachgem10
The medical professional warns:
‘So be aware of the risks of using these, and know that there are better, safer options out there.’
What an ER doctor recommends instead of metal straws
Captioning her post, the doctor and mum of four says:
‘I don’t like metal (or glass) straws! These rigid straws can cause puncture wounds to the back of the throat, and there are some important blood vessels there that can be injured, causing bleeding or strokes. I recommend silicone instead.’
And as it turns out, many medical professionals agree with the US-based ER doctor on the dangers of metal straws.
In a recently published medical journal, doctors outline the risk of using these.
Here is what they have to say:
‘The most significant danger is a mouth or throat puncture. If a child trips, falls, or gets bumped while the straw is in their mouth, the stiff metal can cause deep lacerations. This area of the mouth is close to critical blood vessels like the carotid artery, making such injuries highly dangerous.’
