In the previous post, we have discussed the incidence, mechanism and common causes of airway obstruction in children, and an overview on how to prevent such emergencies. In this second part, we will learn specific recommendations on how to prevent or minimize the risk of airway obstruction. Here are some safety recommendations for preventing choking, suffocation and strangulation in children:
Choking
- Young children may choke on food and non-food objects.
- Children under 4 years old should not be given firm, round food unless it is cut into small, non-round pieces.
- Do not leave your child unsupervised while eating.
- Avoid foods that commonly cause choking such as: meats, hot dogs, grapes, nuts, chunks of peanut butter, popcorn, raw carrots, hard candy, and raisins.
- Round, small or other tiny objects should be kept out of children’s reach.
- Make sure to give your children age-appropriate toys.
- Test small parts whether they are choking-risk by using a toilet paper roll. Anything that can pass through the toilet paper roll can possibly obstruct the airway.
- Keep small items away from children. These include small balls, coins, balloons, safety pins, small game, toys and household items with detachable parts, buttons, jewelry, pen caps, and buttons.
- Choose clothes without detachable items, such as buttons, tiny designs, or pins.
Suffocation
- Place the baby on his/her back when sleeping to reduce chances of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and accidental suffocation.
- Put the baby in the crib, with flat, firm matter and fitted sheet, when sleeping. Do not sleep a child in soft surfaces, such as regular mattresses, couches, or chairs.
- Never put loose blankets, pillows, bumpers, soft toys and other items that can suffocate the child while in the crib.
- Never let a child play with plastic bags.
- Make sure that the crib meets the recent safety standards set by the consumer product safety board.
- Do not use bumper pads and other similar products because they increase the risk of suffocation, strangulation and entrapment of young infants.
Choking, Suffocation & Strangulation Prevention
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Strangulation
- Remove drawstrings from children’s clothing, such as sweatshirts, hooded apparels and jackets. Drawstrings can become entangled with other objects while the child is playing. If possible change drawstrings with safer alternatives such as Velcro.
- Choose clothes that do not have strings.
- Do not allow young children and infants to wear ribbons, scarves, necklaces, or other strings around their necks.
- Cut or tie up all drapery and window blind cords.
- Make sure the spaces between rails of the crib, guardrails and bed frames are not too wide that they allow the child’s head to get caught.
Prevention is always best. However, as parents, you should also know how to respond in an emergency. Pediatric first aid is a comprehensive program that educates individuals about how to manage emergencies involving children. Along with the safety precautions discussed above, parents and care-givers are highly encouraged to complete first aid training. This one-day course could mean your child’s life!
Get to learn more about CPR Level C Re-certification.