Toddler is below the age of 4 years old and obviously because of being under the age of 4 the child is unable to know what is right and what is wrong for him/her at this age, therefore it’s the duty of the parents especially the mother to keep an eye on her child because choking can happen suddenly and is life threatening. And this keeping an eye on the toddler is including in discipline under all circumstances. Many infants and children die each year from choking. These deaths can be prevented if parents and care givers watch their children more closely and keep dangerous toys, foods, and household items out of their reach.
Safety Tips: Tips for Preventing Choking
If you are the parent or care giver of an infant or child under 4 years old, follow these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reduce the chances of choking.
At Mealtime
* Insist that your children eat at the table, or at least sitting down. Watch young children while they eat. Encourage them to eat slowly and chew their food well.
* Cut up foods that are firm and round and can get stuck in your child's airway, such as
hotdogs -always cut hotdogs length-wise and then into small pieces
grapes-cut them into quarters
raw vegetables-cut them into small strips or pieces that are not round
* Other foods that can pose a choking hazard include:
hard or sticky candy, like whole peppermints or caramels
nuts and seeds (don't give peanuts to children under age 7)
popcorn
spoonfuls of peanut butter
During Playtime
* Follow the age recommendations on toy packages. Any toy that is small enough to fit through a 11/4-inch circle or is smaller than 21/4 inches long is unsafe for children under 4 years old.
* Don't allow young children to play with toys designed for older children. Teach older children to put their toys away as soon as they finish playing so young siblings can't get them.
* Frequently check under furniture and between cushions for dangerous items young children could find, including:
coins
marbles
watch batteries (the ones that look like buttons)
pen or marker caps
cars with small rubber wheels that come off
small balls or foam balls that can be compressed to a size small enough to fit in a child's mouth
* Never let your child play with or chew on uninflated or broken latex balloons. Many young children have died from swallowing or inhaling them.
* Don't let your small child play on bean bag chairs made with small foam pellets. If the bag opens or rips, the child could inhale these tiny pieces.
If you're a parent, grandparent, or other care giver, learn how to help a choking child and how to perform CPR in case of an emergency.
The Problem: Who Is Affected?
More than 2,800 people die each year from choking; many of them are children. According to one study, nearly two-thirds of the children who choked to death during a 20-year period were 3 years old or younger. The majority of choking deaths are caused by toys and household items. One study found that nearly 70 percent of choking deaths among children age 3 and under were caused by toys and other products made for children. According to CDC, balloons account for 7 to 10 deaths a year. And the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has received reports of five deaths from bean bag chairs, resulting from children choking on the small foam pellets inside. The most common cause of nonfatal choking incidents is food. In one study, nearly 70 percent of choking cases presented in the emergency department were caused by foods such as hotdogs, nuts, and vegetable and fruit pieces.