Choking First Aid by Jane Thurnell-Read

Children who choke run the risk of death, permanent brain damage caused by lack of oxygen, or other complications associated with airway blockage. Choking is a leading cause of injury and death among children, especially those younger than 4 years of age. The majority of choking-related incidents among children are associated with food, coins and toys. A 2010 policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), led by a doctor at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and published in the February 22 2010 online issue of Pediatrics, takes a closer look at preventing choking among children.

In order to prevent choking, parents and caregivers can do their part by following these safety tips:

• Do not give children younger than 4 any round, firm foods unless they have been cut into very small pieces. Cut hot dogs lengthwise and cut grapes into quarters. This changes the dangerous round shape that can block a young child’s throat.

• Do not give toddlers other high risk foods, such as hard candy, nuts, seeds and raw carrots.

•  Never let small children run, play or lie down while eating.

•  Keep coins and other small items out of reach of young children at all times.

• Carefully read warning labels on toys before giving them to young children.

• To check if a part of a toy is too small, use a small parts test device, which is available at many toy stores.

• Additionally, parents and caregivers should learn first aid for choking and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event a choking episode occurs.

The UK NHS gives this advice for helping someone with mild choking:

• Encourage the person to keep coughing to try and clear the blockage.

• Remove any obvious blockage from their mouth, using your first two fingers and thumb to grasp the object.

 It gives further detailed advice if the person is suffering from severe choking or is a baby under one year old.

 Familiarise yourself with this if you don't already know, so that in an emergency you will know what to do.