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For
Providers > Safety
- Choking
Prevention
Choking is
one of the leading causes of preventable death in babies. It's vital that
your staff members are trained in recognizing, preventing, and intervening in a
choking episode.
What is
choking?
When someone
is choking, they are not able to speak or cough. Coughing is the natural way for
people to clear their throats. All staff should be trained to recognize choking
and to know what do (e.g., the Heimlich maneuver) and what not to do. Do not use
any choking intervention maneuvers if your child is still coughing. If you are
concerned about a child's coughing from near-choking, call 911, another local
emergency number, or your pediatrician.
Choking
Prevention
- Prevent children from running with anything in their mouths.
- A child should never lie down while eating.
- Never leave a baby alone with a propped up bottle.
- Small food pieces that are round, hard, or difficult to chew should not be
given to children.
- It is recommended not to give the following to children under age three:
nuts, hard candies, hot dogs, raw carrots, popcorn, grapes, raisins, toys
with small parts, coins, jewelry.
- It is recommended never to give any of these items to a child under age
five: rubber balloons (mylar balloons are less of a choking risk), buttons,
button batteries, nails, screws, safety pins.
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