Top choking hazards for kids

A child’s airway is approximately the size of her pinky finger, which means small snack foods, such as popcorn or nuts, could easily get lodged. These foods are particularly hazardous as kids often devour them by the handful.

Small, round objects like grapes can get stuck in the airway, so slice them lengthwise in quarters when serving them to small children. Kids up to four years old are still learning how to chew and swallow properly and can be easily distracted while eating, which can cause choking. When cutting grapes in half for children who are a bit older, do so lengthwise so they are no longer in the shape of a ball. Always be sure to cut cherries and remove the pits before giving to kids.

Instead of cutting a hot dog into rounds, cut it once lengthwise so it no longer has its round shape. If you do serve the hot dog whole, do so without the bun, as children will often chew the bun first and be left with a round piece of hot dog in their mouths. 

Cut raw carrots into matchstick-sized pieces. For young children, cook and chop carrots before serving. Although convenient, the perfectly round shape of a baby carrot makes it particularly dangerous if it’s not cut lengthwise.

Any hard candy is dangerous, but small, round candies are the perfect size and shape for getting stuck in the airway. Avoid giving these to kids younger than four, and don’t let your child walk or run with candy in his mouth. Gooey marshmallows are also a common choking hazard so make sure to only give your kid the small marshmallows to put in their hot chocolate. 

Latex balloons are the most common cause of non-food choking deaths in children. Popped or broken pieces of a balloon can completely seal your child’s airway. Never leave your child unattended with a filled balloon as it might pop in your absence.

Chunks of apple can easily become lodged in the airway. Always supervise your child while eating. For young children, cut apples into matchstick-sized pieces. For older children who prefer larger pieces, consider leaving the skin on, which will encourage them to chew more thoroughly.

Like latex balloons, a chunk of peanut butter can create a seal around the airway. Don’t give large dollops. Instead, spread peanut butter thinly on bread or crackers. 

Small toys, especially round ones like balls and marbles, are dangerous for young children. A good rule of thumb: Avoid giving kids younger than three any toy that can fit through a toilet paper roll. Encourage older siblings to put their toys away and check under couches and beds for small objects.

Although children can certainly choke on coins, they’re more likely to be ingested accidentally rather than cause true choking, where the airway is obstructed. However, a coin can become lodged in the esophagus, which requires medical attention. Be particularly mindful of pennies, which are left lying around more commonly now that they are out of use. Watch out when your kid is exploring the closets in your house as coins may have fallen out of pockets and buttons off of clothing.

Small magnets can come out of the plastic letters you see on many family fridges, so be wary of letting your kids play unattended. Even if these don’t cause your child to choke, accidental ingestion should call for medical attention as magnets can stick together through intestinal lining and cause damage to your kids digestive system.

Making sure kids don’t draw on the walls isn’t the only reason to supervise colouring time. Pen and marker caps can be choking hazards if ingested.

These items tend to find themselves in craft bins and junk drawers around the house. Make sure to keep them out of reach of small kids. When crafting with your kids, make sure they know the difference between beads and candy.

Read more: What to do if your child is choking Awesome PSA alert: Save a choking baby