Home » Safety Tips » Choking & Suffocation
Choking & Suffocation Print E-mail
Safety Tips
Children's airways are small and children can easily choke or suffocate on food, plastics, and other materials. A child can choke on any object which can fit into a container the size of a film canister. Soft flexible materials such as plastics can be inhaled and mould to cover a child's airway.


Balloons
Latex or rubber balloons are particularly dangerous for small children. Parents and carers should not allow young children to play with balloons unsupervised.
  • Broken latex balloons are dangerous for small children.
  • If a child bites a rubber balloon, it may explode, sending fragments into the mouth.
  • Foil balloons (mylar) are less dangerous than latex balloons.
  • Older children should be told of the dangers of making 'balloons' by sucking on plastic film or broken balloon pieces.


Food
Young children under the age of three do not have a full set of teeth and may not be able to chew properly. Be careful when choosing food for young children, stay with them while they are eating and learn the correct first aid procedure for choking.
  • Peanuts should never be offered to any child under the age of five.
  • Foods such as carrot and apple can be served mashed, grated or well cooked.
  • Remove small bones from children's food and cut food into small pieces.
  • Foods which children often choke on are nuts, fish bones, carrot, apple and meat.
  • Encourage children to sit quietly when eating and drinking.


Small parts, toys
Anything that will fit into a cylinder 57cm long and 32cm wide (about the size of a film canister) is a choking hazard for children.
  • Standards Australia has published an Australian Standard (AS1647) covering the safety requirements for children's toys. Older children's toys need to be kept out of reach of younger children.
  • Toys containing small parts may cause choking and are not suitable for children under 3 years of age.
  • Other small articles that must be kept out of reach include needles and pins, coins and small disc batteries, marbles, buttons, beads, and dried peas and seeds.
  • Be wary of polystyrene beads such as those found in bean bags and toys. Children can inhale these beads and they do not show on x-rays.


Plastic bags
Thin plastic bags, plastic wrap and dry cleaning bags are particularly dangerous. A child can suffocate if they pull them over their heads.
  • Always tie a knot in plastic bags before throwing them out.
  • Plastic bags should be stored out of reach.
  • Plastic covers on cot and bassinette mattresses should be removed before use. These are not a safe substitute for a heavy duty thick waterproof sheet to protect the mattress.
  • Older children should be told of the dangers of making 'balloons' by sucking on plastic film or broken balloon pieces. The plastic can be inhaled and block the child's airway.