Choking Safety
Did you know that more than 3,000 people die each year as a result of choking? Would you be able to recognize if a family member or friend started to choke? Do you know what activities might lead to choking?
Common causes of choking
• Trying to swallow large pieces of poorly chewed food.
• Drinking alcohol before or during meals. Alcohol dulls the nerves that aid in swallowing.
• Wearing dentures. Dentures make it difficult to sense whether food is fully chewed before it is swallowed.
• Eating while talking excitedly or laughing.
• Eating too fast.
• Walking, playing, or running with food or objects in the mouth.
These are just some of the causes of choking. If you want to learn more about the signals of choking or the care needed to give to a person who is choking, find out about our CPR and AED courses.
Precautions for kids
Follow these safety precautions to help prevent children from choking:
• Don't leave small objects, such as buttons, coins and beads within an infant's reach.
• Have children sit in a high chair or at a table while they eat.
• Do not let children eat too fast. Supervise children while they eat.
• Give infants soft food that they do not need to chew.
• Do not give infants and young children such foods as nuts, grapes, popcorn or raw vegetables. Cut up foods that a child can choke on, such as hot dogs.
• Make sure that toys are too large to be swallowed.
• Make sure that toys have no small parts that could be pulled off.