Choking Hazards for Young Children
Choking is all too common in young children
When I was four or five years old, I followed my parents around the supermarket as they filled the week’s menu. On top of the produce shelf, of all places, was a string of individually wrapped hard candies. When I saw those candies, I definitely had to have one. I begged and begged and used every other resource at my disposal until my parents finally relented and bought me a piece of hard candy. I immediately unwrapped it and dropped it into my mouth. After sucking on it for a few seconds, it slid to the back of my mouth and lodged in my windpipe. Fortunately, my father quickly patted me on the back, the candy came out, and I got a lesson on hard candy.
I didn’t think about it at the time, but the conference was better than other options. It also scared me enough not to ask for hard candy until I was much older. But sadly, about 15 deaths of children under the age of three are reported each year. The number increases when we include older children and all the near misses that certainly happen but go unreported.
‘Harmless’ objects are the leading cause of child choking incidents
Most of the objects that cause choking incidents in young children are common and seemingly harmless until they are picked up in the hands of a young child. Here are some examples to get you started: marbles, balloons, buttons, button-sized lead batteries, small toys and toy parts, small balls, coins, hard candy, small rocks, stuffed animal eyes and noses, and designer toys for older children. and adults
Before you leave the “potential” list, take a look at the foods you may be sharing with your little one. Peanuts top the list of foods that present a choking hazard. Other nuts, fruits, and vegetables that have skin or require chewing should be avoided. Grape skins, for example, present a problem. Believe it or not, so does string cheese. ER doctors say it’s particularly bad because it’s soft, fills the airway completely, and is difficult to remove because it breaks so easily.
As you know, babies and young children put everything in their mouths. Consequently, this list is just a portion of the most common items that lead to emergency room visits.
Prevention of choking hazards in young children
What is there to do? Small kid-friendly items abound! Do not panic; There are some things you can do to prevent your toddler from choking on small objects. Start with these suggestions:
Walk around your house looking for small items that your baby or toddler can pick up. In some rooms, especially the nursery or playroom, get on your knees to see the room the same way your child does. Invariably, some targets will appear that you wouldn’t have seen while standing. Once you spot the danger, remove it.
- Periodically inspect toys for broken parts, eyes and noses coming off stuffed animals, and any toys or games that may have small parts. Make sure remote controls are out of the reach of small children. Recent cases have shown that a small child can open a remote control, access the button cell batteries and swallow them.
- Teach older siblings to separate their toys and games from those of their younger brothers and sisters. This includes putting any small object out of the reach of a young child.
- Inform grandparents and other caregivers, including daycare operators, about the danger of small objects and make sure they inspect their homes and facilities as well.
- Be especially aware of the types of foods you offer to children under three years of age. Peanuts, string cheese, and foods that require chewing are prohibited.
- Follow the manufacturer’s directions on the package label regarding age and skill levels for toys and games.
Looking at the Big Picture of Infant Choking Hazards
Inspect your home for small things that a baby or toddler could choke on, remove them, and periodically check toys to make sure they don’t present a problem. Alert caregivers to these dangers and train older siblings to keep their toys and games out of reach. Remember to keep remote controls out of reach too. Provide infants and young children with soft foods that do not require chewing. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for age and ability when purchasing toys and games.