Causes and signals of choking

More than 3,000 people die each year as a result of choking? Would you be able to recognize if a family member or friend started to choke? 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.

Follow these safety precautions to help prevent children from choking:

• Don't leave small objects, such as buttons, coins and beads within an infant's reach.
• Have children sit in a high chair or at a table while they eat.
• Do not let children eat too fast.
• Give infants soft food that they do not need to chew.
• Make sure that toys are too large to be swallowed.
• Do not give infants and young children foods like nuts, grapes, popcorn or raw vegetables.
• Make sure that toys have no small parts that could be pulled off.
• Cut foods a child can choke on easily such as hot dogs, into small pieces.
• Supervise children while they eat.