Preventing Choking In Small Children

Overview

Young children can easily choke on food and everyday objects. You can help prevent your child from choking by offering the right kinds of foods and watching for choking hazards.

Food

To prevent choking, use care when you select and prepare food. Do not give round, firm foods to children younger than age 4 unless the food is chopped completely. Foods that can be choking hazards include:

• Seeds (for example, sunflower or watermelon).
• Nuts.
• Popcorn.
• Hot dogs.
• Chunks of peanut butter.
• Raw vegetables.
• Raisins.
• Whole grapes.
• Chunks of meat or cheese.
• Hard or sticky candy.
• Chewing gum.
• Chunks of fruit, such as apple chunks.

Toys and other objects

Young children can choke on:

• Toys, such as:
  • Jacks, marbles, and marble-sized balls.
  • Latex balloons, either uninflated or broken pieces. Balloons are easily inhaled into the windpipe.
  • Those with small detachable parts, like wheels.
• Household objects, such as:
  • Rubber bands.
  • Coins.
  • Adhesive bandages.
  • Buttons.
  • Beads and other jewelry.
  • Thumbtacks and screws.
  • Paper clips, pen tops, and safety pins.
  • Clothing price tags.
  • Small holiday decorations.
• Kitchen items, such as:
  • Eggshells.
  • Bottle caps.
  • Plastic tabs from protective coverings on containers.