Children's Choking Hazards :Know The Hidden Dangers

How many of us have taken our 3-year old to a movie and let them munch on popcorn? Don't birthday parties and hot dogs go hand in hand? What about frozen grapes on a hot summer afternoon? All of these things seem like harmless pleasures for children, and probably make us feel good because we are good parents and our children are happy. Unfortunately, all of these things have the potential to endanger our children's lives. Popcorn, hot dogs, and grapes (either frozen or fresh) are the top choking hazzards in children. Should we refuse to give our children these things anymore? I think that may be a bit extreme. What should we do, then? A few simple preventative measures can make all the difference between choking and being safe.

First of all, whether we are parents, caregivers, or relatives of children, we need to be able to recognize the most common food choking hazzards. They are as follows:

-hot dogs and sausages
-popcorn
-any fresh fruit or vegetable, but especially those with a tough outer skin, such as grapes
-large bits of cheese or meat
-nuts, seeds, and peanut butter
-hard or gooey candy
-chewing gum

In short, any food can be a choking hazard for a child, and the risk increases if the child is under the age of 5. Since we can't keep children on a liquid diet their entire lives, the best way to prevent choking is to cut foods into tiny pieces that are easy to chew. Make sure the child is eating slowly and not stuffing his or her mouth too full of food. Most of all, sit near the child when he or she is eating, so that if a child does begin to choke, you are there to help. Avoiding foods like chewing gum and candy altogether is also a good idea. After all, there is very little nutritional value in them, and is it really worth the risk of choking on top of cavities?

If a child starts to choke, know how to do the heimlich maneuver.

In an infant, stick your finger in their mouth and remove all remaining food. Then, turn them stomach-down onto your forearm and give five quick slaps with the heel of your hand. This should dislodge the food that is stuck.

For children over the age of 1, first ask if they are choking and can speak. If they are still coughing loudly, wait a little bit, as a strong cough can often dislodge the food. Otherwise, stand behind the child, wrapping your arms around the child's waist. Mkae a fist, placing the thumb on your fist just above the belly button.Grab your fist with your other hand, and begin to make quick, upward thrust with your fist until the food is dislodged or the child loses consciousness. If the child does lose consciusness, call 911 immediately, look for something blocking airflow, and begin CPR. Most of all, try to remain calm throughout the ordeal.

Food is the major choking hazard in children, but toys are a close second. Avoid all toys labeled "3 and up" for children under 3, since these tend to have small parts that can become lodged in a child's throat. If you are eating out and getting a child's meal, a good idea is to ask for a "toddler toy" witht he meal. These toys are bigger, and children can chew on them fairly safely. However, the safest thing to do is to encourage children at a young age not to stick toys or other objects in their mouths. This can be especailly difficult when a child is teething and has sore gums, so be sure to keep safe things around for them to chew on, such as chewing rings. Never let a child chew on key rings, wallets, or coins. Not only are these things full of harmful germs, they are big choking hazards.

Choking is a frightening thing for both parents and children, but with awareness and prevention, it is something that can usually be avoided.