Expert reveals 12 Christmas choking hazards

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), one child, on average, dies from choking every month in the UK, with hundreds more needing medical treatment. Choking occurs when a patient’s airway becomes blocked, causing an inability to breath. Children have especially narrow airways which heightens their risk of choking. 

As Christmas is approaching fast, so is the excess of snacks, small toys, excitement and family gatherings. With this in mind the education experts at Skillstg.co.uk have listed the top 12 choking hazards for children, as well as revealing how to dislodge food from a baby or young child who appears to be choking. 

1. Popcorn

Popcorn is a delicious snack enjoyed safely by many. It is recommended, however that children do not eat popcorn until they are fully able to chew and swallow properly, at age four or five. Popcorn has a shape and texture that is very likely to get caught in the airways, not to mention its light weight that allows it to be inhaled easily.

2. Marshmallows

Marshmallows pose a serious choking hazard for small children. When mixed with saliva, the consistency of the marshmallow becomes sticky and challenging for a young chewer to swallow.

3. Boiled sweets

Boiled sweets can easily become lodged in a child’s airways and will not dissolve quickly or melt like chocolate would. This sweet should be avoided completely for young children. 

4. Gummy sweets

Gummy bears and other jelly textured chewy sweets can easily be swallowed whole and therefore pose a choking hazard. 

5. Chunks of cheese

Christmas is the time of year when many cheese boards are being passed around to family members, but parents of young children should be wary of this snack. Chunks or cubes of cheese can easily become wedged in the back of a child’s throat, due to its hard texture.

6. Crackers and Rice cakes

Rice cakes and crackers can be quite dangerous for young children due to their coarse texture and dryness. Inexperienced chewers will struggle to break down these snacks easily, making them a choking hazard. In addition to this, the edges of these two snacks can become quite sharp and damage the inside of the throat. 

7. Raw fruit and veg

Baby carrots, whole cherry tomatoes, and grapes are a choking hazard for young children due to their size. Make sure to cut these up into small chunks to avoid choking. 

8. Whole or chopped nuts

Parents should avoid feeding young children whole and chopped nuts. Nuts require very thorough chewing that children of five years and under cannot yet master. 

9. Dried fruit

Raisins and other dried fruits can be very sticky and hard to chew for young children. These should be chopped up small to avoiding choking.

10. Sausages 

Pigs in blankets are sure to make an appearance at most Christmas dinners this year, but the tough skin and awkward shape pose a serious choking hazard to children. Sausages and pigs in blankets should be chopped into small pieces if given to a child under four years old. 

11. Christmas cracker toys

Cracker toys are often made from small parts that can be a choking hazard to young children. Child friendly christmas crackers can be found online as a safer alternative.

12. Toy packaging

Chunks of polystyrene, plastic and any small parts can be a choking hazard to a child. Make sure to have a family member do a constant sweep of rubbish when people are opening their presents. 

What to do if a child under 1 year is choking 

The first step is to check the mouth; if you can see the blockage at the back of the throat, sweep the object using your finger. However, if the blockage is not visible, don’t try to finger sweep, as you might push it further.

The British Red Cross recommends the following steps for a choking baby.

1: Give Up to Five Back Blows

• Hold and support the baby face down on your thigh with their upper body and head lower than their bottom.
• Then, hit them tightly on their back in the middle of the shoulder blades. Do this five times.
• If the back blow didn’t work, proceed to step 2.

2: Give Up to Five Chest Thrusts

• Turn the baby over, facing upwards, and give up to five chest thrusts. Make sure that you give support to the head.
• Put two fingers between their chest below the nipples and push sharply downwards five times.

3: Call for Medical Attention

• Keep doing the back blows and chest thrusts until you clear the airway.
• Call for medical help, especially if the child’s unresponsive.

What to do if a child over 1 year is choking

1: Give Up to Five Back Blows

• Hold and support the child face down on your thigh with their upper body and head lower than their bottom. If this isn’t possible, support your child in a forward-leaning position.
• Then, hit them tightly on their back in the middle of the shoulder blades. Do this five times.
• If the back blow didn’t work, proceed to step 2.

2: Abdominal chest thrusts

• Kneel behind the child and place your arms under the child’s arms reaching around to their upper abdomen.
• Clench your fists and place this between the ribs and navel. Whilst grasping this clenched fist with your other hand, pull sharply inwards and upwards. Do not apply pressure to the rib cage as this could cause damage.
• Repeat this five times. 

3: Call for Medical Attention

• If the child is still conscious and the object hasn’t dislodged, keep doing the back blows and chest thrusts until you clear the airway. 
• Call for medical help, especially if the child’s unresponsive.

A spokesperson from skillstg.co.uk commented:

“It is very beneficial for parents of young children to be aware of simple first aid tips for children, especially in times of emergency. The excitement that comes with the festive season can increase the risk of choking in children, so it is essential for parents to keep a vigilant eye on what young children and babies are putting in their mouths. Chopping up foods to make them more manageable, or avoiding giving these 12 listed foods to young children at all, will ensure for a safe Christmas.”

Skills Training Group are the UK’s leading first aid training, electrical and heating courses for adults, contractors & companies alike.

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