7400 West 129th Street, Suite 200, Overland Park, KS 66213
7400 West 129th Street Suite 200
Overland Park, KS 66213
When children begin crawling, or eating table foods, parents must be aware of the dangers and risks of choking. Children younger than 5 years can easily choke on food and small objects.
Choking occurs when food or small objects get caught in the throat and block the airway.This can prevent oxygen from getting to the lungs and the brain. When the brain goes without oxygen for more than 4 minutes, brain damage or even death may occur. Many children die from choking each year. Most children who choke to death are younger than 5 years. Two-thirds of choking victims are infants younger than 1 year.
Balloons, balls, marbles, pieces of toys, and foods cause the most choking deaths.
Read more about choking prevention and first aid.
Do not feed children younger than 4 years round, firm food unless it is chopped completely. Round, firm foods are common choking dangers. When infants and young children do not grind or chew their food well, they may try to swallow it whole. The following foods can be choking hazards:
Hot dogs
Nuts and seeds
Chunks of meat or cheese
Whole grapes
Hard, gooey, or sticky candy
Popcorn
Chunks of peanut butter
Raw vegetables
Fruit chunks, such as apple chunks
Chewing gum
Keep the following household items away from infants and children:
Balloons
Coins
Marbles
Toys with small parts
Toys that can be squeezed to fit entirely into a child's mouth
Small balls
Pen or marker caps
Small button-type batteries
Medicine syringes
Make a point to learn the instructions on the following pages of this publication. Post the chart in your home. However, these instructions should not take the place of an approved class in basic first aid, CPR, or emergency prevention. Contact your local American Red Cross office or the American Heart Association to find out about classes offered in your area. Most of the classes teach basic first aid, CPR, and emergency prevention along with what to do for a choking infant or child. Your pediatrician also can help you understand these steps and talk to you about the importance of supervising mealtime and identifying dangerous foods and objects.
Copyright ©2006 AAP Feed run on: 1/13/2025 Article information last modified on: 1/13/2025
7400 West 129th St., Suite 200
Overland Park, KS 66213
Phone: 913-906-0900
Fax: 913-906-0909
Billing: 913-491-0972
7400 West 129th St., Suite 200
Overland Park, KS 66213
Phone: 913-906-0900
Fax: 913-906-0909
Billing: 913-491-0972
For non urgent medical issues, please use our Symptom Checker in the Resources area.
For urgent care after our office is closed, please consider Children's Mercy Blue Valley, 6750 West 135th St, OP, KS 66223 or use "Save My Spot" at www.childrensmercy.org
For emergent medical needs, please use emergency services at Children's Mercy Kansas, 5808 West 110th St, OP, KS 66211
For non urgent medical issues, please use our Symptom Checker in the Resources area.
For urgent care after our office is closed, please consider Children's Mercy Blue Valley, 6750 West 135th St, OP, KS 66223 or use "Save My Spot" at www.childrensmercy.org
For emergent medical needs, please use emergency services at Children's Mercy Kansas, 5808 West 110th St, OP, KS 66211