Keep Kids Safe From Common Choking Hazards

“Both food and objects can stick in a child’s throat if swallowed. To protect your little one, it’s important to know what foods to avoid, what to keep out of reach and what to do in a choking emergency.” – Elana Richter, CNP, UH Rainbow Certified Nurse Practitioner

Keep These Foods Off the Menu for children younger than age 4:

• Hard or sticky candy
• Large chunks of meat
• Spoonfuls of peanut and other nut butters
• Popcorn
• Nuts seeds
• Uncut or round pieces of hot dogs
• Chewing gum
• Marshmallows
• Whole small raw fruits and veggies (grapes, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes)
• Dried fruit

Safe eating habits:

• Have your child sit upright in a highchair or at the table
• Discourage eating and talking at the same time
• Cut food for babies and young children into pieces smaller than a half inch
• Stop your child from running or playing with food in their mouth
• Do not let your child eat while in the car or in a car seat

Food is the most common cause of choking in small children, but other objects are also a threat. Keep small household items and toys out of your toddler’s reach:

• Coins
• Marbles
• Pen caps
• Refrigerator magnets
• Button batteries

Choking can occur even if you take precautions. If that happens, calmly follow these steps:

• If your child has a forceful cough and is crying, let them try to cough the food or object out. Always call 9-1-1 in case the airway becomes blocked.
• If your child can't make a sound, looks pale or is coughing weakly, have someone call 9-1-1 while you do the Heimlich maneuver.
• If your child swallows a button battery, a magnet, medicine or other dangerous substances but isn’t choking or having symptoms, it’s important to call the Poison HELP hotline at 800-222-1222.

Do I treat a child who is choking the same as an adult?

Yes, but with one possible change: If the child is small, you may need to kneel behind them instead of standing behind them.

Use the same combination of 5 back blows followed by 5 abdominal thrusts to clear the airway obstruction.

Do not hang a child upside down by their feet to dislodge the object. This is not effective and may cause further injury if you happen to drop them.