Household Safety: Preventing Choking

Babies and children explore the world through putting things in their mouths. From food and toys to other small objects, your little ones may be in danger of choking whenever they eat, play or do any other activity. With an increase in choking cases locally, doctors are urging parents to look out for choking hazards and protect their children from the fourth leading cause of ‘unintentional injury’ death globally.

“We’ve been seeing more cases than usual recently; children are more at risk of incomplete chewing or inserting foreign objects into their mouths,” says Dr Dhiraj Sidagonda Shedabale, Specialist Paediatrician from Zulekha Hospital, Dubai.

Children are at increased risk of choking because of the size of their windpipe, which is approximately the size of a drinking straw in diameter; choking can be through food, household items or toys. Parents can take simple steps to significantly reduce their children’s chances of choking and therefore reduce the chance of child injury.

“Choking is a complete or partial blockage of the upper airway by food or other objects, which prevents someone from breathing effectively,” explains Dr Sidagonda.

Protecting your children:

1. Don’t leave a young child unattended while eating or playing (particularly if they’re under the age of five). Direct supervision is necessary with younger children.

2. Avoid foods that pose choking risks and serve children food in small, manageable bites. Cut food into small pieces, like whole grapes into quarters, removing seeds and pits. Cut hot dogs length and breadthwise. Serve food well-cooked rather than raw

3. Teach children to sit up straight for all meals and to not talk, laugh, play and jump when there’s food in their mouths. Children should have a calm, unhurried meal

4. Offer plenty of liquids to children when eating, but remember that solids and liquids shouldn’t be swallowed at the same time