Putting things in their mouths is one of the ways that babies
and small children explore their worlds. Choking is usually caused
by food, toys, and other small objects that can easily lodge in a
child's small airway - anything that fits can be a danger.
Pay special attention to the following to protect your child
from choking:
Food
- Encourage children to sit when eating and to chew thoroughly.
Teach them to chew and swallow their food before talking or
laughing.
- Be especially vigilant during adult parties, when nuts and
other foods might be easily accessible to small hands. Clean up
promptly and carefully, and check the floor for dropped foods
that can cause choking.
- Never let children run, play sports, or ride in the car with
gum, candy, or lollipops in their mouths.
- Don't give a child under age 4 any hard, smooth foods
that can partially or completely block the windpipe, such as:
- nuts of any type
- sunflower seeds
- watermelon with seeds
- cherries with pits
- raw carrots, peas, and celery
- popcorn
- hard candy
- raw apples and pears
- caramels, even if cut into small pieces
- Some soft foods also can cause choking and should be avoided:
- cheese cubes
- hot dogs
- sausages
- grapes
- caramels
These soft foods can be served if they're chopped into small
pieces or peeled if they have skin. Spoonfuls of peanut butter and
chewing gum also should be regarded as potential choking
hazards.
Toys, Balloons, and Other Small Objects
- Get on your hands and knees and check the floors, under rugs,
and within grabbing range (on shelves, in cushions, under sheets,
etc.) for small parts or items that could pose a choking hazard,
including:
- balloons
- toys with small parts and doll accessories
- coins
- safety pins
- small office supplies (paperclips, tacks, etc.)
- small balls
- nails, bolts, and screws
- erasers
- batteries
- broken crayons
- jewelry (rings, earrings, pins, etc.)
- caps for bottles of chocolate syrup, pancake syrup, and
soda (children may try to lick the sweet drops out of the caps,
which can become lodged in the airway)
- Always follow all manufacturers' age recommendations when
buying toys. Some toys have small parts that can cause choking,
so heed all warnings on a toy's packaging.
- Never buy vending-machine toys for small children; these toys
do not have to meet safety regulations and often contain small
parts.
- Make sure small refrigerator magnets are out of your
child's reach.
- Check toys frequently for loose or broken parts - for
example, a stuffed animal's loose eye or a broken plastic
hinge.
- Warn older children not to leave loose game parts or toys
with small pieces in easy reach of younger siblings.
- Safely dispose of all batteries, especially button-cell
batteries (like those used for watches). Encourage children not
to put pencils, crayons, or erasers in their mouths when coloring
or drawing.
- Put away all breakable objects and those that are small
enough to fit in small mouths.
Be Prepared
If you're expecting a baby or you already have a child,
it's a good idea to:
- Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the Heimlich
maneuver.
- Keep the following numbers near the phone (for yourself and
caregivers):
- toll-free poison-control number
- child's doctor's number
- parents' work and cell phone numbers
- neighbor's or nearby relative's number (if you need
someone to watch other children in an emergency)
- Make a first-aid kit and keep emergency instructions
inside.
- Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
Maintaining a Safe, Kid-Friendly Environment
To check your childproofing efforts, get down on your hands and
knees in every room of your home to see things from a child's
perspective. Be aware of your child's surroundings and what
might be potentially dangerous.
Completely childproofing your home can be difficult. If you
can't childproof the entire house, you can shut the doors (and
install doorknob covers) to any room a child shouldn't enter to
prevent wandering into places that haven't been properly
childproofed. For sliding doors, doorknob covers and childproof
locks are also great for keeping little ones from leaving your
home. Of course, how much or how little you childproof your home is
up to you. Supervision is the very best way to help prevent kids
from getting injured. However, even the most vigilant parent
can't keep a child 100% safe at all times.
Whether you have a baby, toddler, or school-age child, your home
should be a haven where your little one can explore safely. After
all, touching, holding, climbing, and exploring are the activities
that develop your child's body and mind.
Reviewed by:
Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: November 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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