Choking/Suffocation Prevention

Choking/Suffocation Prevention
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

There are few experiences more frightening than seeing your child choking and gasping for air. If you have children you know they are fascinated by all sorts of objects and everything goes straight to their mouth.

Popcorn, balloons, toys are all items you might find in an average home. And, all of these items pose a potential choking hazard, especially in young children, because they can easily lodge in a child's small airway. Anything that fits inside a child's mouth can be a danger.

Choking occurs when suddenly, an object is swallowed, goes down the wrong way, and lodges in the windpipe. The transport of oxygen to the brain is blocked and without oxygen for as little as four minutes brain damage and death can occur.

Children, especially those under age 3, are particularly vulnerable to airway obstruction death and injury due to the small size of their upper airways, their relative inexperience with chewing, and their natural tendency to put objects in their mouths. Infants are also at a greater risk because of their inability to lift their heads or extricate themselves from tight places.

It may surprise you, but a baby's throat can stretch to a width of almost 1.5 inches (4cm). Children can choke on chunks of fruit and vegetables, hot dogs, nuts, hard candies, grapes and popcorn.

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