Protecting Kids from Choking, Suffocation and Strangulation
Safe Kids Northeast Florida/Wolfson Children's Hospital Offers Airway Safety Tips

Jacksonville, Florida, November 28, 2007 -- Airway obstruction through choking, suffocation or strangulation is the leading cause of accidental death in infants and the second leading cause of accidental death in children ages 14 and under.

Every year, in the United States, more than 700 children die from accidental suffocation or strangulation and nearly 170 die from foreign-body airway obstruction -- choking on food, toy parts or other small objects. In addition, each year, an estimated 900 suspected Sudden Infant Death Syndrome cases are actually cases of suffocation by soft bedding.

"Small children have small airways," says Cynthia Dennis, RN, Safe Kids Northeast Florida coordinator. "It doesn't take much to choke them, and we all know how kids are always putting small objects in their mouths." Most choking incidents in children involve food; parents and caregivers should avoid giving small, round foods such as hot dogs, candies, nuts, grapes, carrots and popcorn to children under age three. Other common choking hazards include coins, small balls and balloons.

"Literally get down on your hands and knees and crawl around. You'll be surprised at how much your child can reach and pick up," says Dennis. "If an object can fit through a standard 1-1/2-inch toilet paper tube or a store-bought small parts tester, don't let your child play with it."

Three out of five cases of infant suffocation involve bedding; other suffocation hazards include plastic bags and entrapment in poorly ventilated spaces such as laundry machines, car trunks and toy chests. Babies and toddlers under age three are especially vulnerable because they cannot lift their heads or escape from tight places. To prevent suffocation: "Supervise. There's no substitute for active supervision," says Dennis. Since 1985, at least 22 children have been strangled by drawstrings in clothing, mostly as a result of the drawstrings getting tangled in playground equipment. Don't allow drawstrings, hanging jewelry or loose clothing on the playground -- and don't let kids wear bike helmets on the playground, because the straps can get caught on equipment.

Children can also be strangled in the slats or frames of cribs, bunk beds, strollers, high chairs and other devices. A safe crib has no more than 2-3/8 inches of space between slats, is not placed near a window and does not have anything hanging above it on a string longer than seven inches. Tie window blind cords up out of reach; at least 130 children have been strangled by window covering cords since 1991.

Avoid thick, soft bedding for babies and toddlers. To reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Dennis says, "Always, always, always lay babies down on their backs to sleep until they can turn themselves over." Kids under six should not sleep in the top bunk of a bunk bed, and the bed frame and guardrails should not be more than 3.5 inches apart.

Infant and child CPR classes are available through Baptist Health. To find a class near you, call 202-BABY. In about three hours, parents can learn effective skills that can make the difference between life and death for a choking child.