Two cases of near asphyxiation in children, using non-releasing plastic garden ties

We present two cases of children recently seen in our accident and emergency (A&E) department with near asphyxiation attributable to non-releasing plastic garden ties around the neck.Case 1 A 6 year old boy presented after his older brother had put a non-releasing garden tie around his neck during unsupervised play in the garden.He was unable to release the tie and in his attempt to do so, pulled it tighter.Fortunately, his grandmother was quick to respond and cut the tie oV with kitchen scissors.On examination, he had petechiae over his face but neither neck swelling or apparent trauma to his larynx.He had a 1 cm × 1 cm, V shaped laceration to his neck where the tie had been cut oV.He required no treatment other than a warning of the obvious dangers of his actions.