Preventing Children and Infants from Choking

Without a doubt, one of the most frightening and helpless experiences a parent could endure is seeing their child choking on an object. But proper first-aid education and preventive steps can prevent such needless tragedy.

According to the American Red Cross, many of the more than 2,800 people who die each year from choking are children. Infants and younger children are especially vulnerable. One Red Cross study indicated that nearly two-thirds of the children who choked to death were three years old or younger.

To help prevent such deaths, adults -- particularly parents, grandparents, and other caregivers -- should learn how to properly help a choking child and, for a worst-case scenario, how to perform CPR.

More importantly, preventive measures should be taken before any such life-saving efforts become necessary. These involve watching all children more closely and keeping potentially dangerous toys and household items out of their reach. In addition, parents should be mindful about what foods and snacks they serve.

Toys: Parents Beware
Toys pose the biggest risk. One study found that nearly 70 percent of choking deaths among children age three and under were caused by toys and other products made for children. Pay attention to age recommendations placed on toy packages; they’ve been placed there for good reason.

A good rule of thumb is to never give a small child a small toy. Toys small enough to fit through a 1 1/4-inch circle or toys that are smaller than 2 1/4-inches long are unsafe for children under four.

Never let younger children play with toys designated for older children. And teach your older children to put their toys away and out of the reach of younger children. Even then, you still should make frequent checks around the house, making sure the toys are safely put away. Also, check beneath your furniture and between the cushions.

Items you should look out for include:

• Marbles
• Coins
• Batteries (especially small watch batteries)
• Pens and caps
• Toy cars with removable rubber wheels
• Small balls or other round objects that can fit into a child’s mouth

Even decorations that children really enjoy can be very dangerous. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), balloons account for 7 to 10 deaths a year. Don’t leave uninflated balloons around the house. Many young children have died from swallowing or inhaling them.

Food: Serving Safely
Food is the most common cause of non-fatal choking incidents. A CDC study released in 2002 revealed that, in 2001, 60 percent of choking cases treated in emergency rooms were caused by foods items that are round and firm.

To help reduce the risk of choking, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and the CDC recommend that you encourage your children to eat slowly and chew their food well. Insist that they sit down while eating, preferably at the table.

Parents should be careful when serving items that are round and firm (e.g., hotdogs, nuts, vegetables, and fruit). When serving hot dogs, slice the hot dogs down their length and then cut them into small pieces. Indeed, any food that could get caught in a child's airway should cut up. Slice round fruit into quarters, especially smaller items such as grapes. Slice raw, round vegetables into small pieces.

Be especially careful when serving candies like peppermints or caramels or snacks such as popcorn and peanuts. Don’t serve peanuts to children under seven. Be mindful that spoonfuls of peanut butter can even cause a child to choke