Choking is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children under five years old in the United States, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) notes that food is responsible for the majority of choking incidents in young children, with more than 12,000 emergency room visits annually from food-related choking in this age group. The foods most frequently involved are common items found in nearly every American household.
Why Young Children Are at Greatest Risk
Children under five — and especially children under three — have small airways, underdeveloped chewing ability, and limited airway protective reflexes compared to older children and adults. They also explore food through mouthing and biting in ways that can easily send pieces into the airway before they have been adequately chewed. A piece of food that an adult can easily manage can completely block a toddler’s airway.
The Highest-Risk Foods for Young Children
CPSC and pediatric safety organizations consistently identify the following foods as the most frequent causes of choking death and injury in children under five:
- Hot dogs — cylindrical shape fits the airway almost perfectly; always cut lengthwise and then into small pieces, never in coin-shaped rounds
- Hard candy and lollipops — can become lodged in the airway; not appropriate for children under four
- Grapes — must always be cut in half lengthwise, not just in half, before serving to young children
- Nuts and seeds — hard, small, and easily inhaled; not appropriate for children under four
- Chunks of raw vegetables including carrots — must be shredded or cooked soft before serving to young children
- Peanut butter — served in thick spoonfuls it can adhere to the airway; always spread thinly on bread or crackers
- Popcorn — not appropriate for children under four
- Marshmallows — expand and compress to fill the airway; not appropriate for young children
- Chunks of meat and cheese — must be cut into very small pieces
What Parents Must Do
- Always supervise young children while eating.
- Never allow young children to eat while walking, running, or in a moving car.
- Learn infant and child CPR and the Heimlich maneuver.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, visit SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772.
Source: https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Guides/Kids-and-Babies/Choking-Prevention
