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Young children are at the greatest risk of choking. They tend to put things in their mouths and they have smaller
airways that are easily blocked. Also, they don’t have a lot of experience chewing and tend to swallow things
whole.
You can help minimize the risks of choking by serving a child’s food in small, manageable bites. Foods that pose
choking risks because they’re the same size and shape as a child’s airway include hot dogs, grapes, raw carrots,
nuts, raisins, hard or gummy candy, spoonfuls of peanut butter, chunks of meat or cheese, and popcorn. To keep
them safe, cut whole grapes into quarters, cut hot dogs lengthwise and into pieces (and remove the tough skin),
and cook vegetables rather than serving them raw. Also, teach kids to sit down for all meals and snacks and not to
talk or laugh with food in their mouths.
Toys and household items also pose a choking hazard — beware of deflated balloons, coins, beads, small toy
parts, and batteries. Once your baby becomes mobile, get down on the floor often to check for objects that they
could put in their mouths and choke on. You’d be surprised by the things that routinely fall off counters or out of
pockets and end up under furniture, behind curtains, etc.
Similarly, be sure to choose safe, age-appropriate toys. Always follow the manufacturer’s age recommendations
— some toys have small parts that can cause choking, so carefully inspect a toy’s packaging.
What If A Child Is Choking?
Most of the time, the food or object only partially blocks the trachea and it’s likely that it will be coughed up and
that breathing will be restored easily. A child who seems to be choking and coughing but is still able to breathe
and talk probably will recover unassisted. It can be uncomfortable and upsetting, but the child is generally fine
after a few seconds.
Sometimes, though, an object can get into the trachea and completely block the airway. If airflow is blocked into
and out of the lungs, and the brain is deprived of oxygen, choking can become a life-threatening emergency. A
child may be choking and need help right away if he or she:
• is unable to breathe
• is gasping or wheezing
• is unable to talk, cry, or make noise
• changes color from bright red to blue
• grabs at his or her throat or waves arms
• appears panicked
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Here are several possible scenarios you might face and tips on how to handle them:
• If a child is choking and coughing but can breathe and talk, the airway is not completely blocked and
it’s best to do nothing. The child will likely be fine after a good coughing spell. Don’t reach into the
mouth to grab the object or even pat the child on the back. Either of these steps could push the object
farther down the airway, and actually make the situation worse. Stay with the child and remain calm
until the episode passes.
• If a child is conscious but can’t breathe, talk, or make noise, or is turning blue, the situation calls for
the Heimlich maneuver. Begin the rescue procedure if you’ve been trained to do so. Though it is a
pretty simple process, it must be performed with caution, especially on young children. If you haven’t
been trained, and no one else is available to perform it, call 911 for help.
• If the child was choking and is now unconscious and no longer breathing, call for help and then
proceed immediately to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), if you’ve been trained in it. If you have
not, call 911.
Keep in mind that 911 should be called for any critical choking situation.
When To Call The Doctor Or Go To The ER
You should take your child for emergency medical care after any major choking episode, especially if there is a
persistent cough, drooling, gagging, wheezing, difficulty swallowing, or difficulty breathing. If your child had an
episode that seemed like choking but fully recovered after a coughing spell, there is no need to seek immediate
medical care.
Take the time now to become prepared. CPR and first-aid courses are a must for parents, caregivers, and
babysitters. To find one in your area, contact your local Red Cross, YMCA, or American Heart Association
chapter, or check with hospitals and health departments in your community.
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