Choking Hazards
Putting things in their mouths is one way babies and young children learn about their world. Choking can be caused by any object that can lodge in a child’s airway, including toys and food, but anything small can put a child at-risk for serious injury and death due to choking.
Food is a common choking hazard as children do not always chew their food properly. Children under the age of four (4) are especially prone to choking on food, especially foods that are hard and round. Some safety tips to keep children safe while eating include:
- Cut food into small pieces no larger than ½ inch-this prevents the airway from becoming blocked if a child swallows the food instead of chewing.
- Encourage children to sit and eat, chewing and swallowing thoroughly before talking.
- Never let children run and play while chewing or when they have anything in their mouth.
- Do not feed children while in the car or give them lollipops, gum, or candy while they are playing, running, or riding in the car.
- Be aware of foods that are out at parties and check the floor periodically for dropped food.
- Always supervise children when they are eating and be prepared to perform life-saving measures.
If your child is four or younger, use extra caution when feeding the following foods, or avoid them completely:
- Hot dogs and sausage
- Nuts and seeds
- Large chunks of meat or cheese
- Whole grapes
- Sticky, gooey, chewy candy
- Popcorn
- Raw vegetables and fruits with pits or seeds
- Gum
- Marshmallows
- Chunky peanut butter or peanut butter in large quantities
Foods are not the only objects that can cause a child to choke. When a child begins to crawl, they become experts at finding small objects that most people wouldn’t normally notice to put in their mouth. To ensure that your child is kept safe from choking, parents should get on their hands and knees to check what objects may be within grabbing range, including on carpeting, under rugs, on shelves, and in cushions.
Items that could pose a choking hazard include:
- Balloons
- Toys, toy pieces, game pieces, vending machine toys (which are unregulated), and doll accessories
- Coins
- Safety pins
- Office supplies such as paperclips, staples, erasers, and tacks
- Marbles and small balls
- Bolts, nails, and screws
- Batteries
- Caps for bottles, pens, soda, and syrup
- Broken crayons
- Beads and barrettes
- Refrigerator magnets
- Anything breakable
It is also important to remember that manufacturers are required by law to label each toy they produce with a recommended age limit which should always be followed to prevent an accident. If you are unsure if a toy is a choking hazard, you can also purchase a small parts tester, often called a choke tube, to determine if a toy or household object is too small for a child aged three (3) and under. Keep toys meant for older children separate from toys meant for younger children and if there is ever a doubt that any toy is appropriate for a child, dispose of it.
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