7 Common Choking Hazards

Guest Post By Genevieve Kane, MSN, RN

For many, watching our children grow and explore the world is one of the most rewarding parts of parenthood. However, with that curiosity come potential choking hazards every parent or caregiver should know.

One study on the topic of pediatric choking, found over 300,000 nonfatal injuries related to choking during the fifteen year study period. The majority of the injured children were younger than five.

7 Common Choking Hazards

Here are seven common causes of choking so you can help keep your little one safe and focus on making memories together.

1. Latex Balloons

Kids love balloons, and for good reason. They’re fun! However, little kids, especially those under two, often explore the world with their mouths. While an inflated balloon poses little risk, if a child pops a balloon with their teeth, it could result in many choking-sized pieces.

The other consideration are uninflated balloons. Kids may put them in their mouths and try to blow them up. Or, young children may try to chew or eat them. Either of these could lead to an episode of choking.

Make sure to place any unblown balloons up high and out of reach of young kids. And, if you are using balloons, ensure appropriate adult supervision when they’re out.

2. Small Toys

Small toys, toy accessories, and other small pieces all have the potential for a young child to put them in their mouth. In addition, mixed age groups may play with lego sets, dollhouses, toy accessories, or other small items.

When feasible, keep the big kid toys away from any young children. However, this isn’t practical all the time, especially in homes with multiple children.

Young children can be fast! So, if you spy small tempting toys within reach, ensure you’re keeping a close eye on the situation so you can quickly intervene if needed.

3. Ribbon or String

Ribbons, strings, and cords can all pose a choking hazard for young children.

Help young children avoid loose ribbons and strings, and promptly place them out of reach. You don’t want any loose pieces to end up in your child’s mouth!

As for decorations, toys, or other items with ribbons and string, help your child look and not touch. It can be tempting for young kids to pull and put parts in their mouths.

4. Round Food

Round foods are notoriously dangerous for young children. Examples of places you might find these are bowls of nuts, charcuterie trays with whole grapes or olives, and candy bowls with round chocolates or other goodies.

Of course, these aren’t all the examples of round foods. If round foods are on the menu, it is important to appropriately cut foods for young children. This typically means cutting them lengthwise.

For hard, round foods, such as nuts, that can’t easily be cut or are too difficult for young mouths to chew, avoid them altogether. If possible, ensure any trays or bowls with these items are out of reach.

5. Button Batteries

These are probably the most dangerous item on our list of choking hazards. Not only can a child choke as they try to eat one, but these can also be deadly. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) explains that when these come into contact with body fluids, they can generate an electrical current. This current can burn holes internally, causing several problems.

You can learn more about the dangers of button batteries from this video Dr. Goudy posted.

Button batteries can hide in several items throughout the home. They may be found in flameless candles, key fobs for cars, thermometers, scales, and even products made for children. For example, your kid’s fun light up shoes could be powered by one of these batteries.

6. Hard Candy

Pretty candy dishes filled with all kinds of tasty treats are popular. However, many of these treats are a dangerous size for young kids. And, they probably look especially tempting in sparkly foils and designs.

Keep hard candy out of reach and off display in your own home. If you are at a friend or family member’s home, it is perfectly acceptable to ask if the host can move any hard candies out of reach while your children are there.

7. Small Ornaments and Decorations

Similar to hard candies, small ornaments  and decorations can look tempting. Often covered in glitter or made of shiny material, small decorative items can be irresistible for young children to put in their mouths. However, they can easily block an airway.

If you have young children in your home, keep them up high and out of reach of little hands. Or, avoid using them altogether. There are large, plastic ones you could try instead while children are little.

If traveling to someone else’s home, keep an eye on your little one around small ornaments to ensure none go into their mouth. 

Genevieve Kane, MSN, RN, is a mother of four and a registered nurse with a background in pediatrics. When she's not working, you can find her cooking up tasty family dinners or keeping up with her kids on a hiking trail in her home state of Colorado.