Very sad story, but please read

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wow   hopefully reading this story will remind other parents to take extra caution.. may even save the life of another youngster.  not that that's any consolation to the family.. how sad

What kind of people take a three-year-old to see Alien vs. Predator?

I'm sorry...these people suffered a tragic loss...but every baby/toddler book I've ever read mentions both several ways to clear a windpipe (you do NOT stick your fingers in there) and that popcorn is a choking hazard.  They weren't even supervising him with the popcorn! 

I like how the mother says "Nobody could have saved him."  Not true.  She could have prevented it, and she probably could have saved him to if she'd ever read one basic article on food safety and how to clear a child's airway.  I worry about a world where special education teachers don't have this knowledge.  (Or any teachers, for that matter.)

A horrible tragedy...made worse by its preventability.

What kind of people take a three-year-old to see Alien vs. Predator?

...that was actually my first thought when reading the story

That's so sad.   I can't STAND seeing people giving their small children stuff they could easily choke on. I know they could choke on pretty much any food but some things are worse choking hazards than others.  A guy I work with has an 18 month old who he lets have those big gumballs out of the machines. We actually argued about it when he gave him one in front of me. I told him it was dangerous and he said nah he'll be ok. It makes me mad thinking about it. I had a friend who's 20 month old almost choked to death on a grape. She was lucky the doctors were able to save her.

What kind of people take a three-year-old to see Alien vs. Predator?

I'm sorry...these people suffered a tragic loss...but every baby/toddler book I've ever read mentions both several ways to clear a windpipe (you do NOT stick your fingers in there) and that popcorn is a choking hazard. They weren't even supervising him with the popcorn!

I like how the mother says "Nobody could have saved him." Not true. She could have prevented it, and she probably could have saved him to if she'd ever read one basic article on food safety and how to clear a child's airway. I worry about a world where special education teachers don't have this knowledge. (Or any teachers, for that matter.)

A horrible tragedy...made worse by its preventability.

I agree with you 100%, Saf (and not for the first time, either, on matters of parenting, might I add!).

Reminds me of the idiot (VERY YOUNG) mother whose child suffocated on the Pokemon ball that was a toy in the Burger King kids meals.

The kid was 15 months old.  Every single Kids Meal and Happy Meal says that the toys are not recommended for those under 3 years of age - regardless of the toy on offer.  They also say to ask for substitutes for smaller children.

Now - aside from the fact that a 15 month old really doesn't need to be eating anything from Burger King - I was very disgusted with the fact that Burger King took the flack for this, when they had already placed warnings - instead of the (if I recall correctly) 15 year old mother and the comparably young grandmother.  The child was left alone in a playpen with a toy that was not suitable for its age group...

Accidents happen - but those involving children which could have been so easily prevented by those who are supposed to be responsible for them are the ones that really tear my soul up... :\\\'(

That is so horrible!  I am so sorry for his parents, what they must be going through!

What kind of people take a three-year-old to see Alien vs. Predator?

This is totally the wrong movie for him to be in. And yes it's a tragedy, but don't most theaters have ( if this is rated R) a policy of no one under 17 EVEN with a parent. Our does. Being a responsible parent means that you look after your kids in every aspect of life. I won't give my kids hot dogs or anything that could be a choking hazard. When they are outside a RESPONSIBLE adult is out also. Life is very short and I will do nothing to shorten or threaten my childrens lives.

They had put a list of other foods that shouldn't be given to children that age and one of the foods listed was peanut butter. Now, living in America, peanut butter is usually a staple in the kitchen. I remember being a little kid and eating every lunch practically with pb & jelly. Also, raisins were on the list and jelly beans. Things that I would've never thought of as being hazardous to children. Of course, thinking of it now, I could see why. I'll see if I can find that list somewhere.

(This is where Saf looks like a big old hypocrite.)

I actually accidentally gave my dd peanut butter when she was about 9 months old-I was eating a peanut butter cup and she wanted a taste so I let her have it before thinking.
But then in my defense, peanut butter isn't a choking hazard-I actually peeled and cut up grapes before giving them to her for the first time 9 months or so ago, and still watch her like a hawk when she eats hot dogs, grapes, etc.-and since nobody in my family has ever had a peanut allergy, or really any allergy other than my red pepper allergy-I wasn't too concerned.

As far as I knew - giving PB to kids is only a risk (as you said SAF) if there is a peanut allergy in the family...

   :\\\'( :\\\'( :\\\'(  no matter a child is lost.

This is totally the wrong movie for him to be in. And yes it's a tragedy, but don't most theaters have ( if this is rated R) a policy of no one under 17 EVEN with a parent. Our does.

No, that's NC-17. R is just accompanied by a parent/guradian.  I mean.. I'm not a parent so I've never had to consider all of these things that may be hazardous.. but even *I* have choked on pop corn a few times (probably why i rarely eat it).. so it seems obvious that it's not something that should be given to a small child.   Unfortunately, they learned that the hard way