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Keep Your Child Safe From ChockingRonald Porep, SafetyIssues.com |
Volume 3 Issue 30May 2004 |
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In 2000, 160 children ages 14 years or younger died from an obstruction of the respiratory tract due to inhaled or ingested foreign bodies according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For every choking-related death, there are more than 100 visits to U.S. emergency departments. In 2001, an estimated 17,537 children 14 years or younger were treated in U.S. emergency departments for choking episodes. Infants use their mouths to explore the world which puts them at particular risk for choking on food or other small objects. |
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Young children may be unable to lift their heads or get out of tight place
placing them at an increased risk of suffocation and strangulation. Your
child is in danger of choking. You can, though, reduce the danger. The
most common cause of nonfatal choking incidents is food. In one study,
nearly 70% of ER choking cases were caused by foods such as hotdogs, nuts,
and vegetable and fruit pieces. Prevention Cut up foods that are firm and round and can get stuck in your child's airway, such as hotdogs, which should always be cut length-wise and then into small pieces; grapes, which should be cut into quarters and raw vegetables, which should be cut into small strips or pieces that are not round. Other foods that can pose a choking hazard include hard or sticky candy, like whole peppermints or caramels; nuts and seeds; popcorn and peanut butter. Watch your children extra carefully when they eat such foods. NEVER give a child under 7 years old peanuts. Encourage your children to eat carefully and slowly while sitting at the table. The majority of child choking deaths are caused by toys and household items. |
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| Don't allow young children to play with toys designed for older children. Follow the age recommendations on to packages. Also, test the toys yourself. Any toy that is small enough to fit through a 1 1/4-inch circle or is smaller than 2 1/4 inches long is unsafe for children under 4 years old. Frequently check under furniture and between cushions for dangerous items young children could find including coins, marbles, watch batteries (the ones that look like buttons), pen or marker caps, cars with small rubber wheels that come off, small balls or foam balls that can be compressed to a size small enough to fit in a child's mouth. |
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It is guaranteed that the item you miss your child will find and try to
place it in his or her mouth. According to CDC, balloons account for
7 to 10 deaths a year. Never let your child play with or chew on uninflated or
broken latex balloons. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has received reports of five deaths from bean bag chairs, resulting from children choking on the small foam pellets inside. Don't let your small child play on bean bag chairs made with small foam pellets. If the bag opens or rips, the child could inhale these tiny pieces. And, anyone involved with your child should know child CPR. Child CPR is taught by experts through your local fire department, hospital or local chapter of the American Red Cross. Do all you can to make sure your child does not choke but be prepared if you child does choke. |
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