Facts

More than 3,000 people die each year as a result of choking.

Two-thirds of children who choke to death are three years old or younger.

Nearly 70% of choking deaths among children under the age of three are caused by toys and other products specifically made for children.

Common Causes of Choking

• Trying to swallow large pieces of poorly chewed food.
• Drinking alcohol before or during meals; alcohol dulls the nerves that help us swallow.
• Eating while talking excitedly or laughing.
• Eating too quickly.
• Walking, playing, or running with food or other objects in your mouth.

How to Prevent Childhood Choking

Keep the following items away from infants and young children:

latex balloons coins marbles small, button type batteries

toys with small parts small balls pen or marker caps any object that can be compressed to fit into a child's mouth

Keep the following foods away from children under the age of four:

hot dogs nuts and seeds chunks of meat or cheese chewing gum

whole grapes hard, sticky, or gooey candy popcorn raw vegetables

What You Can Do To Prevent Choking

Learn CPR and Basic First Aid.

Insist that children eat at the table, or at least while sitting down. They should never run, walk, play, or lie down with food in their mouths.

Cut food for infants and young children into pieces no larger than one-half inch, and teach them to chew their food well.

Supervise mealtime for infants and young children.

Be aware of older children's actions. Many choking incidents occur when older brothers or sisters give dangerous foods, toys, or small objects to a younger child.

Avoid toys with small parts, and keep other small household items out of the reach of infants and young children.

Follow the age recommendations on toy packages. Age guidelines reflect the safety of a toy based on any possible choking hazard as well as the child's physical and mental abilities at various ages.

Check under furniture and between cushions for small items that children could find and put in their mouths.