NOTEWORTHY WEDNESDAY!

Choking Hazards

“According to a 2008 study, the 10 foods that pose the highest choking hazards for young children are hot dogs, peanuts, carrots, boned chicken, candy, meat, popcorn, fish with bones, sunflower seeds and apples.

If a child is more than 1 year old, perform the Heimlich maneuver. If the child is younger than 1, rest the child face down on your knee and slap the back between the shoulder blades five times. More information can be found at healthychildren.org.”

via The 10 Biggest Choking Hazards – NYTimes.com.

Choking is a serious situation for any child. It is best to stay away from foods that can pose a choking hazard for your child.

Even if you are vigilant when feeding these foods to your little one it is not worth the risk.

In addition to the choking risk, a child can aspirate any of these foods while coughing to prevent themselves from choking. Aspiration occurs when food or liquids are inhaled into the lungs. This can cause serious complications for a child and can also result in death.

A child’s trachea or “wind pipe” is very tiny ,not even as large as your pinky finger, so it only takes something quite small to block the trachea and cause a child to choke and not be able to breath.

Small pieces of food are recommended. Children and babies should always have someone with them while they are eating. They should not eat in the car or walking around. Ideally, they should be in their own seat or high chair.

All caregivers and parents should be trained in CPR for babies and children in case of an emergency.

Summary:

• high risk foods: hot dogs, food with bones, candy,including, peanuts, sunflower seeds, apples and carrots.
• babies and young children should be supervised when eating.
• babies and young children should not eat walking around or in the car.
• babies and children should eat while seated in their own seats or high chair.
• caregivers and family members should be trained in CPR for babies and children