Common causes of choking
Choking in infants and young children under the age of 1 is a common cause of unintentional injury and death. It's important for parents to supervise their children while they are eating and keep small objects out of their reach in order to prevent choking.
1. Food is the number one cause
2. Small objects, such as toy parts, coins, buttons, pins, etc.
3. Certain behaviors, such as eating while distracted
1. Food is the number one cause
2. Small objects, such as toy parts, coins, buttons, pins, etc.
3. Certain behaviors, such as eating while distracted
Tips to prevent choking
1. Do not give your child under age 3
- small, slippery foods: grapes, hot dogs, hard candy
- dry foods hard to chew: popcorn, nuts, raw carrots
- sticky, tough foods: peanut butter, chewing gum
2. Do not introduce solid foods until your child has the motor skills to swallow
3. Supervise your child during mealtimes
- Have your child sit in a high chair or at a table
- Do not let your child eat while lying, walking or running
4. Check choking hazard labels on toys
- Toys may have small parts that children can choke on if
placed in their mouths
5. Regularly check your child's toys for any damage
- Small parts may become loose and cause choking
- Damaged toys must be repaired or thrown away
6. Keep objects that may be a choking hazard away from child
- Common household items include small batteries, pen or
marker caps, baby powder, beads, safety pins, etc
- small, slippery foods: grapes, hot dogs, hard candy
- dry foods hard to chew: popcorn, nuts, raw carrots
- sticky, tough foods: peanut butter, chewing gum
2. Do not introduce solid foods until your child has the motor skills to swallow
3. Supervise your child during mealtimes
- Have your child sit in a high chair or at a table
- Do not let your child eat while lying, walking or running
4. Check choking hazard labels on toys
- Toys may have small parts that children can choke on if
placed in their mouths
5. Regularly check your child's toys for any damage
- Small parts may become loose and cause choking
- Damaged toys must be repaired or thrown away
6. Keep objects that may be a choking hazard away from child
- Common household items include small batteries, pen or
marker caps, baby powder, beads, safety pins, etc
What to do if my child is choking
1. If your child is not breathing and unconscious, call 911 immediately for help. Perform the Heimlich maneuver and CPR if you've been trained.
- Click here for steps to perform the Heimlich maneuver
and click here to watch a video demonstration.
- Consider taking a CPR and choking first aid class to
prepare for an emergency.
2. If your child is gagging and coughing, but still able to talk, don't do anything. Allow your child to cough up the object.
- Do NOT grab the object from your child's mouth or pat
your child's back. This may push the object down further.
- Click here for steps to perform the Heimlich maneuver
and click here to watch a video demonstration.
- Consider taking a CPR and choking first aid class to
prepare for an emergency.
2. If your child is gagging and coughing, but still able to talk, don't do anything. Allow your child to cough up the object.
- Do NOT grab the object from your child's mouth or pat
your child's back. This may push the object down further.
Resources
Free CPR classes are offered at Orange Fire Department on a first-come, first served basis. Call (714) 288-2566 for more information.
Healthy Children:
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/Pages/Choking-Prevention.aspx
Kids Health: http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/sheets/choking_sheet.html
Safe Kids:
http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-resources-by-risk-area/choking-suffocation-and-strangulation/choking-prevention-safety.html
Healthy Children:
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/Pages/Choking-Prevention.aspx
Kids Health: http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/sheets/choking_sheet.html
Safe Kids:
http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-resources-by-risk-area/choking-suffocation-and-strangulation/choking-prevention-safety.html