Tragic accident: Toddler who choked on drawing pin reminder about home safety
A New Zealand coroner has issued a safety warning to parents after a toddler died from choking on a drawing pin. The report encourages caregivers to review first aid procedures and keep small household objects out of reach of children.
Why it matters
This tragic event serves as a public health reminder regarding the hidden dangers of common household items for young children.
The death of a toddler who choked on a drawing pin is a timely reminder to parents about safety around the home, a coroner says.
In his findings made public on Tuesday, coroner Ian Telford said Siuta Laulaupea'alu Uhi was aged a year and nine months on 21 November, 2025 when he was playing with his siblings in the loungeroom of the family home in the west Auckland suburb of Henderson.
Siuta's mother, Lisita Laulaupea'alu, then noticed her boy was choking.
He had a bag of lollies in his hand, so she turned him on his front and banged him on his back in an effort to clear his airway, the coroner said.
When that didn't work, his family put him in the car and drove towards the hospital in thick traffic.
They called emergency services and were instructed to return home, where paramedics would meet them.
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