Information for Parents: Choking Prevention in Infants and Young Children

Children should not be given peanuts, seeds, whole grapes, mini-carrots, popcorn or other similar foods under the age of 3 when their molar teeth have yet to erupt. Hard and/or round foods should not be offered to children younger than four years of age; these include (but are not limited to), hot dogs, sausages, chunks of meat, raisins, apple chunks, and hard candy.

In addition, exposure to marbles, small rubber balls, magnets, button batteries, and latex balloons should be specifically avoided, since aspiration of these items may be fatal.

• Infants should be fed solid food only by adults, and only when the infant is sitting upright; all meals for young children should be supervised by an adult.
• Children should be taught to chew their food well; shouting, talking, playing, running, crying, and laughing while eating should be discouraged.
• Chewable medications should be given only after the age of three years (when molars are present).
• Coins and other small items should not be given to young children as rewards.
• The practice of using the mouth to hold school supplies or other small objects should be discouraged.
• 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.
• Be aware of older children's actions. They may give younger siblings dangerous objects
• Parents, teachers, child care providers, and others who care for children should be encouraged to take a course in Basic Life Support and choking first aid.

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Source: healthy children.org by American Academy of Pediatrics

Other resources from “Be Smart, Don’t Choke,” a BC Children's Hospital /BC Initiative:

• Peanut Fragments in Bronchus
• Nuts and Seeds