Injesting paper towel can be a big issue but it's also not such a likely event to happen that you need to worry about it. How many people for in car accidents? You don't see the majority of the population avoiding the use of cars. It's a minimal risk so you jut take proper precautions and deal with it. Using shop towels can also be better then just basic paper towel. They are a little heavier duty and don't stick as easily as basic paper towels.

I have seen pictures of a kingsnake that ate a whole piece of blue shop towel and it just pooed it out later. Not saying you shouldn't neccisarily worry if one is injested just that if it is eaten it can still be a nonissue.