Once children start to crawl or eat table foods, it's important to protect them from choking. Children younger than 5 years old can easily choke on food and small objects they can reach. Here's what parents need to know.
How does choking start?
Choking happens when food or small objects get caught in the throat and block the airway. This can prevent oxygen from getting to the lungs and the brain. When the brain goes without oxygen for more than 4 minutes, it can lead to brain damage or even death.
Many children die from choking each year. Some children who survive a severe choking episode have permanent, life-changing brain injuries.
Most children who choke to death are under 5 years old. Two-thirds of choking victims are infants younger than 1 year.
Common choking hazards
Balloons, balls, marbles, pieces of toys and foods cause the most choking deaths.
Foods that are choking hazards for children
Keep dangerous foods from children until 4 years of age or older, depending on each child's development and maturity level. But keep in mind that round, firm foods, such as hot dogs or grapes, can be served
if completely chopped into tiny pieces. When infants and young children do not grind or chew their food well, they may try to swallow it whole.
Peanut butter and other nut butters should be spread thinly. More foods that can be dangerous choking hazards for children include:
Hot dogs
Hard, gooey, or sticky candy
Chewing gum
Nuts and seeds
Whole grapes
Raw vegetables, such as carrot sticks
Raw fruit chunks, such as apple chunks
Popcorn
Chunks of peanut butter or other nut butters
Marshmallows
Meat sticks/sausages
Chunks of meat
Chunks of cheese or string cheese
Household items that are choking hazards
Keep the following household items away from infants and children:
What families can do to prevent children from choking
Sign up for an approved class in basic first aid, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) or emergency prevention. Contact your local American Red Cross or the American Heart Association to find classes in your area.
Remember that balloons pose a choking risk to children up to 8 years of age.
Keep dangerous foods from children until 4 years of age or older, depending on each child's development and maturity level.
Insist that children eat at the table or sit down when they eat. Never let them run, walk, play or lie down with food in their mouths.
Cut food for infants and young children into pieces no larger than one-half inch, and teach them to chew their food well.
Supervise mealtime for infants and young children.
Be aware of what older children are doing. Many choking incidents happen when older brothers or sisters give dangerous foods, toys or small objects to a younger child.
Avoid toys with small parts, and keep other small household items out of the reach of infants and young children.
Follow the age recommendations on toy packages. Age guidelines reflect the safety of a toy. They are based on any possible choking hazard, as well as a child's physical and mental abilities at various ages.
Check under furniture and between cushions for small items that children could find and put in their mouths.
Do not let infants and young children play with coins.
Remember
Talk with your child's pediatrician for more tips to protect your child from choking hazards.
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