PROTECTING YOUR CHILD FROM CHOKING

If children get food, small household items or toys caught in their throats or windpipes, they can choke and suffocate. Among children under age 1 who suffer injuries, choking causes the most deaths. Older children choke, too. Here are some simple things you can do to help protect your child.

TOP CHOKING FOODS:

Many choking injuries involve food. Children under 4 do not have their molars and cannot chew well. They can easily choke on:

Foods that swell when moist:

Apples and pears: Chop apples and firm fruits into bite-size pieces or cook them until soft. Hard candies: Candies swallowed whole can block the airway. Not for children younger than 4 years. Popcorn: Popcorn is easy for kids to choke on. Not for children younger than 4 years old.

Small, round, form foods that slip easily down the throat:

Peanuts and other nuts: More children choke on peanuts than any other item. Do not give to children under 4 years old. Grapes: Cut grapes in half. Do not give raisins to children under 2. Two to 4 year olds can be given plump, moist raisins or those in pudding or bread. Take the pits out of cherries. Hot dogs: Cut a hot dog lengthwise at least once, then cut it crosswise. If you slice a hotdog into circles, the pieces still may be large enough to choke your child. Carrots: Shred carrots or cook them until mushy.

Foods that are stringy or sticky:

Celery: Remove the stringy outside layer of celery with a peeler. Cut up celery before serving. Peanut butter: The safest way to eat peanut butter is to spread a thin layer on bread. Serve it with a beverage .Never let children eat it off a spoon.

Children of any age should sit down to eat. They should never walk around or lie down while eating.

CHEWING GUM:

If chewing or bubble gum gets stuck in your child’s windpipe, it can be very serious. Do not let children chew gum while jumping rope, running, playing on a swing set or trampoline, climbing or playing sports like baseball and basketball. Anytime a child chewing gum falls or is bounced around, he or she could inhale the gum.

BALLOONS:

Balloons are fun while they are inflated. But a rubber or latex balloon that has not been blown up, or one that has popped, can be deadly. Many children want to chew balloons because they are attracted by the texture, smell and bright color. But if even a small piece is inhaled, it can make a child choke. Once it is in the windpipe, a piece of balloon is very hard to get out. The Heimlich maneuver or slapping on the back may not work. Balloons can be dangerous for all children. Even older children choke on balloons. One out of four children who have choked on balloons have been older than 5.

To protect your child: Buy silvery Mylar balloons instead, Do not let a young child blow up a balloon, Do not let your child put a balloon in his or her mouth, Always supervise children playing with balloons.

TOYS:

Some toys and small pieces from toys are hazards for small children. Use these tips:

1) In shopping for toys or stuffed animals, make sure there are no small parts that can be removed or might come off.

2) Check age level on toys. Do not give your son or daughter a toy made for an older child, no matter how much he or she wants it. The toy may have small parts or pieces that could cause your child to choke.

3) Many fast-food restaurants offer toys with their children’s meals. If your child is under 3, ask for the special toy that is available for children in this age group.

4) Watch out for coins, small balls and marbles. Be very careful that small children cannot get hold of items less than 1 ¼ inches across. (A toilet paper roll is ahandy guide. Items small enough to easily go through it could be dangerous.)

BE PREPARED:

No one expects his or her child to choke, but it is good to be prepared for an emergency. The American Red Cross, YMCA and the American Heart Association offer classes in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver.

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