A birthday party without balloons is like peanut butter without jelly.

Still, don’t let your child play with uninflated or popped toy Latex balloons. They’re the leading cause of suffocation death, according to the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission; 110 children have died as a result of suffocation involving uninflated balloons or pieces of balloons over the past three decades.

Kids can inhale whole balloons as they try to blow them up, or popped balloon pieces that they innocently put into their mouths. Balloons can be deadly because they mold to the throat and lungs, once inhaled, making them difficult to dislodge. They can easily go in farther as a child inhales, and can completely block breathing.

To keep your kids and others’ safe at birthday parties, put packages of unused balloons safely out of reach, and pick up and throw away popped balloons and balloon pieces immediately. Or better yet, get helium-filled Mylar balloons for your child’s next party. Another option is using streamers and other decorations instead of balloons.

See our reports on 8 products not to buy for kids and childproofing your home, as well as our Guide to Childproofing and Safety, for more information.