Choking is common in children, and occurs when food or other small objects block the airways. Prevent choking by teaching children to eat gradually, chop food properly, and chew thoroughly. Also, if you have toddlers, make your home child-friendly.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Reducing Access to Small Objects
Step 1. Make your home child-friendly
If you have small children, we recommend that you keep some household appliances out of reach of children. You don't need to remove these household appliances from the house, but you just need to put them in a high place. You may also want to purchase a security key. Or, you can use special covers on doorknobs to prevent children from entering certain closets or rooms. Keep the following items out of reach of children:
- latex balloon
- figurine
- Decorations, such as Christmas tree decorations
- Ring
- Earring
- Button
- Battery
- Toys that have small parts (such as Barbie shoes or Lego helmets)
- Small ball
- Marbles
- Bolt
- Pin
- Crayon is broken
- Deadly Cocktail
- Eraser
- Small stone
Step 2. Check the recommended age when buying toys
Toys with small parts are not recommended for toddlers, and they should have a special label. Follow the age guide on the toy packaging. Do not give toys from vending machines, because generally the toys sold in vending machines do not comply with safety standards.
At restaurants that provide children's menus, ask for toys that are age-appropriate
Step 3. Immediately clean up small items that have fallen, such as spilled pasta
Examine the undersides of tables and chairs for any remaining debris. Kids love to put whatever is on the floor.
Step 4. Invite older children to clean the house
When your child plays with Legos or Barbie heads, invite them to clean up. Explain that they must be careful of small objects. You can make games for children who are already in school to invite them to compete to find many small objects.
Step 5. Watch your little one as they play
Even if you can't fully pay attention to your child, pay attention to your child as much as you can. If your child tries to eat a dangerous object, stop the child from eating it immediately. Make rules about what things can and cannot be touched.
Method 2 of 2: Implementing Food Safety
Step 1. Cut food into small pieces, both for children and adults
Remember that the airways in a child's body are very small. Remove seeds from foods like watermelon, and ends from fruits like peaches.
- Cut the hot dog lengthwise, then reduce the width of the piece. Don't forget to remove the skin.
- Cut the grapes into four.
- Be careful when you serve fish with the bones. Serve this menu only for grown children and adults. Tell your child to eat the fish slowly and remove all the bones if possible. Don't swallow the fish too quickly.
Step 2. Show your child an appropriate bite size, which is smaller than their spoon/fork size
Tell them that they are advised to eat slowly for safety and courtesy. Praise the child when the child eats at a reasonable time, instead of praising the child when he eats quickly.
Step 3. Explain the importance of chewing to your child carefully
Make sure they chew the food until it is soft and easy to swallow. You may want to have them count to 10 as they chew their food. After some time, they will get used to slow chewing.
- Do not give hard, hard-to-chew food to children until their teeth are ready. Consult a doctor to find out the stage of your child's development.
- Children learn by imitation. Try to set aside enough time to eat, so that you are not rushed.
- Eat while drinking, but teach your child not to eat and drink at the same time.
- Teach your child not to eat while talking.
Step 4. Eat while sitting
Do not feed the child while the child is walking, standing, or moving. If possible, sit at the dinner table upright. Do not let your child eat while running. Also avoid eating in the car, bus or train. If the means of transportation stop, your child may choke.
Step 5. Avoid foods that can cause choking
Toddlers should avoid certain types of food. If you are giving children foods to avoid, make sure they are cooked or cut thoroughly (eg hot dogs). Although older children and adults can eat these foods, they should also be careful when eating them. Foods that can cause choking include:
- Hot dogs with coin pieces
- Bone fish
- Cheese box
- Ice
- Peanut butter in a spoon
- Peanuts
- Cherry
- Hard candy
- Skinned fruit (such as apples)
- Celery
- Popcorn
- Raw legumes
- Cough drop candy
- Nuts
- Caramel
- Chewing gum
Step 6. Cook vegetables until tender, for example by boiling, steaming, or sautéing, instead of serving them raw
Make sure your child can chew and swallow vegetables easily. Steaming is the recommended method of cooking vegetables, as steaming removes fewer nutrients than boiling.
