Choking Hazards

HAZARDSCHOKING

by Dr. Janet Webb, MD

When thinking about choking hazards, our first thought is usually food. That’s because at least half of choking episodes are due to food. The other half could be secondary to a myriad of other household objects. With the upcoming holiday season, there will be lots of fun foods and toys introduced to your home. Here are a few reminders and tips to keep your home and children safe.

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Food Hazards

As always, nuts are especially dangerous due to the hard and round nature of nuts. Other similar foods include hard and sticky candies and whole grapes.

Monitor your children when eating raw fruits and vegetables, especially if babies do not have a full set of teeth yet.

Avoid giving children under the age of 4 years old popcorn, bubblegum, or chunks of hard meat and cheeses.

Toy Hazards

When bringing toys home, always read the label for age appropriateness. Toys should have an age range listed, but use them at your discretion. Be sure to show and teach your child how to play with the toy.

Beware of small parts that can be detached. If it fits into the mouth, it is likely too small.

Small batteries may be in the packaging. If you have any concern that a button battery may have been ingested, take your child to the nearest emergency department. They can be corrosive to the GI tract.

Finally, watch for other small items like buttons, marbles, magnets, and even balloons. If you do find that your child is choking on an object, allow them to cough if they are able to. If they are not able to breathe, have someone call 911 and perform back blows in infants and the Heimlich maneuver in older children.

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