Safety experts have issued a warning over Mini Eggs to parents this Easter after one mum’s tragic loss.
Mini Eggs and other chocolatey treats lining the shelves of every supermarket are one of the greatest sights this time of year.
But with the shape of Mini Eggs being likened to grapes, experts are warning parents who plan on giving their children the sweet treat this Easter.
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Their hard shell and small round size can make them a prime choking hazard, particularly for young children.
And experts at First Aid For Life have warned of the dangers after speaking to one heartbroken mum.
The parent said: “With Easter coming up I want to warn you all about another deadly choking hazard, one that tragically took away my precious little girl Sophie.
“She had choked on a Mini Egg and I was unable to dislodge it. I watched the light slip away from my baby's eyes, I tried in vain to save her.
“If just one person reads this and watches their toddler, child or teen extra close when eating these, my daughter’s death will not be in vain.
“I would love to have them removed from the shelves but I know this will not happen, but getting parents to be extra vigilant is the best I can do, please watch your babies.”
What can be done to avoid the risk?
The Child Accident Prevention Trust posted on social media to advise, saying: “They are the perfect size to block a small child’s airway and choke them, and their hard shell can make it difficult to dislodge with standard first aid techniques.
“With whole grapes we advise cutting them in half lengthways and ideally into quarters to create thin strips. But chopping up mini eggs isn’t as easy.”
The charity recommends putting the Mini Eggs into a sealed bag and smashing them with a rolling pin, making them a better size for young ones.
They also suggest opting for a larger, more hollow chocolate egg around this time of year.
And let’s face it, we really don’t have a shortage of options in stores.
Alternatively, the organisation said to not give them to children and instead, hide them and eat them yourself.
Cadbury state on the packaging that the product is not designed for children under four, but it’s important to watch any child around this age whilst eating them.
A spokesperson previously said: “All of our Cadbury Mini Eggs packaging very clearly carries the following warning: Choking Hazard: This product is not suitable for children under four."
Mia Williams