According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, one child dies every five days from choking on food, making it the leading cause of death in children ages 14 and under – but there are things parents and caregivers can do to keep their children safe.
Choking can happen at any age, but kids face a higher choking risk if they are under the age of 5. At this age, a child’s airway is about the size of their pinky finger, which means it doesn’t take a lot for something to get stuck.
Prevention is key when it comes to choking. That includes supervision while they’re eating, as well as teaching them to chew their food thoroughly, avoid talking with their mouths full and encouraging them to sit calmly while eating.
Below is a list of foods and household items that are potential choking hazards, as well as signs to watch for while your child is eating, in addition to tips on what to do if a child is indeed choking.
Choking hazards
Hot dogs. This cookout staple is a choking hazard due to the tube shape and hot dogs’ compressibility. If you choose to give hot dogs to children, it is safest to cut them lengthwise and then into small pieces.
Whole grapes. This fruit is fine for babies, as long as it is prepared correctly. Grapes should be cut lengthwise and quartered for all young children. Grape skin can lead to choking when it separates from the grape, so, for babies, it is best to use cut-up grapes without skin.
Hard candies. Many candies, including hard candies, can cause issues because they may be the size of the airway.
Taffy, gum, marshmallows and peanut butter. These are dangerous because they are gooey and can mold and conform to block a child’s airway.
Coins and buttons. Coins and buttons are very easily found on the ground outside, inside on counters/tables and even in and under furniture. The problem is, they easily can become lodged in the esophagus.
Popcorn, nuts and seeds. Although these foods are healthy, they are a choking hazard for young children largely due to children’s inability to grind food. These foods are also often devoured by the handful.
Small toys. Small toys, especially round ones like balls and marbles, are dangerous for young children. A good rule of thumb: Avoid giving kids younger than 3 any toy that can fit through a toilet paper roll.
Latex balloons. Popped or broken pieces of a balloon can completely seal your child’s airway. Never leave your child unattended with a filled balloon as it might pop in your absence.
Raw vegetables. When a whole vegetable is given, it’s easy for a piece to break off, perhaps cut by the child’s front teeth. That’s when the large pieces of hard vegetable become a choking hazard.
Pen and marker caps. Once again, they’re just the right size to become lodged in your child’s airway.
Small beads, decorative stones and jewelry. These items are often found in craft bins, junk drawers and dressers around the house. Be sure to supervise when your children are crafting to avoid problems.
Choking signs and symptoms
Even though you are being vigilant and supervising your infant and toddler, sometimes they can still get a hold of something they’re not supposed to and they can begin to choke. Consequently, knowing the signs and symptoms of choking and what to do to help is important.
Among the signs to watch for:
- An ineffective cough and high-pitched inhaling noises.
- Inability to speak or cry.
- Clutching the neck between thumb and fingers.
- Extreme difficulty breathing.
- Possible blueness of lips, nails or skin.
How to Help
Never put your fingers into a child’s mouth unless you can see the object; doing so risks pushing the object further into their airway. If a child can no longer breathe, cough or make sounds, have someone call 911 immediately.
For an infant (under 1 year old), while waiting for EMT’s to arrive, you should:
- Hold the infant in a face-down position on your forearm. Support the infant’s head and jaw with your hand.
- Using the heel of your hand, deliver up to five back blows between the infant’s shoulder blades.
- Turn the infant onto their back while still supporting the head.
- Deliver up to five thrusts, using two fingers of your other hand to push the center of the chest (right below the nipple line).
- Repeat giving five back blows and then five chest thrusts until the infant can breathe, cough or cry or they go unresponsive.
For a child between 1 and 12 years old, while waiting for EMT’s to arrive, you should:
- If you think the child is choking, ask “are you choking?” If they nod yes or are grabbing at their throat, tell them you are going to help.
- Stand or kneel behind the child and wrap your arms around the child’s waist so your fists are on their stomach.
- Make a fist with one hand and put the thumb side of your fist slightly above the child’s bellybutton, then grasp the fist with your other hand.
- Give quick upward thrusts into the child’s belly until the object is forced out and the child can breathe, cough or speak, or they go unresponsive.
If your infant/child begins to breathe and cough, that means the item has either been spit out or it could have gone down their throat. If the item has gone down, make sure to get them checked out by their physician or seek medical attention as soon as you can to make sure the item is not in their lungs.
The Parenting Center offers American Heart Association classes (both certified and non-certified) monthly where you can learn the skills to help infant and children who are actively choking and/or not breathing. For more information either email parentingcenter@stph.org or call (985) 898-4435.