Causes and Signals of Choking
(from the American Red Cross and the American Academy of Pediatrics)

More than 2,800 people die each year as a result of choking. Choking occurs when food or small objects block the airway. This prevents oxygen from getting to the lungs and the brain. When the brain goes without oxygen for more than four minutes, brain damage or even death may occur.

Would you be able to recognize if a family member or friend started to choke? Do you know what activities might lead to choking?

Here are some 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 for a person who is choking, sign up for a CPR course. Contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross for a schedule of courses in your area.

Child Choking Hazards

Many children die from choking each year. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Heart Association (AHA) believe that parents and other caregivers can often prevent choking.

The AAP and the AHA offer the following choking prevention and first aid information for parents and caregivers of infants and children.

Dangerous foods

Do not feed children younger than 4 years old any round, firm food unless it is chopped completely. Round, firm foods are common choking dangers. When infants and young children don't grind or chew their food well, they may attempt to swallow it whole.

The following foods can be choking hazards:

• Hot dogs
• Nuts
• Chunks of meat or cheese
• Whole grapes
• Hard or sticky candy
• Popcorn
• Chunks of peanut butter
• Raw carrots

Dangerous household items

Keep the following household items away from infants and children:

• Latex balloons
• Coins
• Marbles
• Small toy parts
• Pen or marker caps
• Small button-type batteries
• Small compressible toys that can fit entirely into a child's mouth

What you can do to prevent choking

• Keep the above foods from children until 4 years of age.
• Nuts should not be given children until age 7 or older.
• Insist that children eat at the table, or at least while sitting down. They should never run, walk, or play with food in their mouths.
• Cut food for infants and young children and teach them to chew their food well.
• Supervise mealtime for infants and young children.
• Many choking incidents occur when older brothers or sisters give dangerous foods, toys, or small objects to a younger child.
• Avoid toys with small parts and keep other small household items out of reach of infants and young children.
• Follow the age recommendations on toy packages.

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