How to Prevent Choking
Childproof your house., Check recommended ages on toys., Clean up any messes involving small objects., Ask older children to clean up., Watch children when they play., Cut food into small pieces., Demonstrate an appropriate sized bite., Discuss...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Childproof your house.
When you have small children, it is best to keep some household items out of reach.
This does not mean you must eliminate them from your household.
Instead, put them in high cabinets and consider getting child safety locks.
You also can put special covers on doorknobs to prevent access to some closets or rooms.
Items to remove from the reach of children include:
Latex balloons MagnetsFigurines Decorations like tinsel or Christmas tree ornaments Rings Earrings Buttons Batteries Toys with tiny parts (e.g.
Barbie shoes, Lego helmets) Little balls Marbles Screws Safety pinsBroken crayonsStaples Erasers Small rocks -
Step 2: Check recommended ages on toys.
Toys with small pieces are not intended for young children and should include a warning label.
Follow age guidelines on toy packaging.
Do not give children toys from vending machines as these do not have to follow safety regulations.At restaurants with kids’ meals, ask for an age-appropriate toy. , If you spill a bag of pasta, for example, pick it up immediately.
Check under tables and chairs for extra pieces.
Anything on the floor is fair game for a child to place in his mouth., When your older children play with items like Legos or Barbie shoes, ask them to pick up their messes.
Explain that they too need to be careful about small objects.Consider making it a game for school-age children to see who can find the most small items. , Although you cannot watch children 100% of the time, try to be as vigilant as possible.
If you see them getting into something they should not, intervene immediately.
Set ground rules for items that they can and cannot touch. , Remember that a child’s windpipe is as wide as a drinking straw.
Remove seeds from foods like watermelon and pits from foods like peaches.This practice applies to both children and adults.
For hot dogs, slice the hot dog lengthwise.
Then cut it into smaller pieces widthwise.Remove the skin.Quarter grapes.Be especially careful when eating fish with bones (which should only be done by older children and adults, not young children).
Tell your children to try to take very small bites and remove any bones beforehand if possible.
Do not swallow too fast. , Show your children how big a bite should be.
Show that the piece of food should be smaller than their child-sized spoon or fork.
Talk about how we need to eat slowly for safety and also to be polite.
Instead of praising children for being done eating quickly, praise children who eat at a moderate pace. , When discussing healthy eating practices, explain to your children the importance of chewing their food well.
They should chew their food until it is soft and easy to swallow.
You might consider having them count to ten while they chew.
After a while, they will be used to slower chewing.
Do not feed children solid, chewy food until they have sufficient teeth and are developmentally ready.
Talk to your doctor to see where your child is in terms of development.
Children learn based on what they see.
Try to plan enough time for meals so that you are not rushed.
Alternate drinking and eating.
Teach your children not to drink and eat at the same time.Encourage your children not to speak and chew simultaneously. , Do not feed your young children while they are walking, standing, or otherwise moving.
Sit at the table whenever possible with a straight back.
In no case should your child eat and run.
Also avoid eating in the car or while on the bus or subway.If you make a sudden stop, you or your child could choke. , Children under the age of five should avoid several food items.
If you do give these items to children, you should cut or cook them very carefully (e.g. hot dogs).
Although older children and adult can eat these items, they too should practice caution.
Foods for young children to avoid include:
Hot dogs cut into coin shapes Fish with bones Cheese cubes Ice cubes Peanut butter in spoonfuls Peanuts Cherries Hard candies Fruits with skins (e.g. apples) Celery Popcorn Raw peas Cough drops NutsCaramelsChewing gum , Instead of serving raw vegetables, steam, boil, or fry them.
Aim for softness.You want your child to be able to chew and swallow easily.
Steaming is a good option because it removes less nutrition than boiling. -
Step 3: Clean up any messes involving small objects.
-
Step 4: Ask older children to clean up.
-
Step 5: Watch children when they play.
-
Step 6: Cut food into small pieces.
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Step 7: Demonstrate an appropriate sized bite.
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Step 8: Discuss thorough chewing.
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Step 9: Eat while seated and stationary.
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Step 10: Avoid foods that often cause choking.
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Step 11: Cook vegetables.
Detailed Guide
When you have small children, it is best to keep some household items out of reach.
This does not mean you must eliminate them from your household.
Instead, put them in high cabinets and consider getting child safety locks.
You also can put special covers on doorknobs to prevent access to some closets or rooms.
Items to remove from the reach of children include:
Latex balloons MagnetsFigurines Decorations like tinsel or Christmas tree ornaments Rings Earrings Buttons Batteries Toys with tiny parts (e.g.
Barbie shoes, Lego helmets) Little balls Marbles Screws Safety pinsBroken crayonsStaples Erasers Small rocks
Toys with small pieces are not intended for young children and should include a warning label.
Follow age guidelines on toy packaging.
Do not give children toys from vending machines as these do not have to follow safety regulations.At restaurants with kids’ meals, ask for an age-appropriate toy. , If you spill a bag of pasta, for example, pick it up immediately.
Check under tables and chairs for extra pieces.
Anything on the floor is fair game for a child to place in his mouth., When your older children play with items like Legos or Barbie shoes, ask them to pick up their messes.
Explain that they too need to be careful about small objects.Consider making it a game for school-age children to see who can find the most small items. , Although you cannot watch children 100% of the time, try to be as vigilant as possible.
If you see them getting into something they should not, intervene immediately.
Set ground rules for items that they can and cannot touch. , Remember that a child’s windpipe is as wide as a drinking straw.
Remove seeds from foods like watermelon and pits from foods like peaches.This practice applies to both children and adults.
For hot dogs, slice the hot dog lengthwise.
Then cut it into smaller pieces widthwise.Remove the skin.Quarter grapes.Be especially careful when eating fish with bones (which should only be done by older children and adults, not young children).
Tell your children to try to take very small bites and remove any bones beforehand if possible.
Do not swallow too fast. , Show your children how big a bite should be.
Show that the piece of food should be smaller than their child-sized spoon or fork.
Talk about how we need to eat slowly for safety and also to be polite.
Instead of praising children for being done eating quickly, praise children who eat at a moderate pace. , When discussing healthy eating practices, explain to your children the importance of chewing their food well.
They should chew their food until it is soft and easy to swallow.
You might consider having them count to ten while they chew.
After a while, they will be used to slower chewing.
Do not feed children solid, chewy food until they have sufficient teeth and are developmentally ready.
Talk to your doctor to see where your child is in terms of development.
Children learn based on what they see.
Try to plan enough time for meals so that you are not rushed.
Alternate drinking and eating.
Teach your children not to drink and eat at the same time.Encourage your children not to speak and chew simultaneously. , Do not feed your young children while they are walking, standing, or otherwise moving.
Sit at the table whenever possible with a straight back.
In no case should your child eat and run.
Also avoid eating in the car or while on the bus or subway.If you make a sudden stop, you or your child could choke. , Children under the age of five should avoid several food items.
If you do give these items to children, you should cut or cook them very carefully (e.g. hot dogs).
Although older children and adult can eat these items, they too should practice caution.
Foods for young children to avoid include:
Hot dogs cut into coin shapes Fish with bones Cheese cubes Ice cubes Peanut butter in spoonfuls Peanuts Cherries Hard candies Fruits with skins (e.g. apples) Celery Popcorn Raw peas Cough drops NutsCaramelsChewing gum , Instead of serving raw vegetables, steam, boil, or fry them.
Aim for softness.You want your child to be able to chew and swallow easily.
Steaming is a good option because it removes less nutrition than boiling.
About the Author
Virginia Diaz
With a background in law, Virginia Diaz brings 24 years of hands-on experience to every article. Virginia believes in making complex topics accessible to everyone.
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