Christmas can be a time full of joy, but can also be a time full of worry.
One concern for parents of small children during the festive season and throughout the year is choking. Worryingly, one child dies from the condition every month on average in the UK, with hundreds more needing medical treatment, according to Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).
Choking occurs when an airway becomes blocked, causing difficulty breathing. And it can be particularly dangerous for children as they have especially narrow airways, heightening the risk. During Christmas, kids often tuck into more treats than usual, so it is worth noting the foods that can pose danger. With family gatherings throughout the next few weeks and gift giving a huge part of this time of year, it is also important to look out for other choking hazards - from toy parts to packaging.
READ MORE: The best Edinburgh places to see Santa this Christmas across the capital
With this in mind, first aid training experts at Skillstg.co.uk have listed the top 12 choking hazards for children, as well as revealing how to dislodge food from a baby or young child who appears to be choking.
12 choking hazards for children at Christmas
1. Popcorn
Popcorn is a delicious snack enjoyed safely by many. It is recommended, however, that children do not eat popcorn until they are fully able to chew and swallow properly, at age four or five. Popcorn has a shape and texture that is very likely to get caught in the airways, not to mention the lightweight that allows it to be inhaled easily.
2. Marshmallows
Marshmallows pose a serious choking hazard for small children. When mixed with saliva, the consistency of the marshmallow becomes sticky and challenging for a young chewer to swallow.
3. Boiled sweets
Boiled sweets can easily become lodged in a child’s airways and will not dissolve quickly or melt as chocolate would. This sweet should be avoided completely for young children.
4. Gummy sweets
Gummy bears and other jelly-textured chewy sweets can easily be swallowed whole, posing a choking hazard.
5. Chunks of cheese
Christmas is the time of year when many cheese boards are being passed around to family members, but parents of young children should be wary of this snack. Chunks or cubes of cheese can easily become wedged in the back of a child’s throat due to its hard texture.
6. Crackers and Rice cakes
Rice cakes and crackers can be quite dangerous for young children due to their coarse texture and dryness. Inexperienced chewers will struggle to break down these snacks easily, making them a choking hazard. In addition to this, the edges of these two snacks can become quite sharp and damage the inside of the throat.
7. Raw fruit and veg
Baby carrots, whole cherry tomatoes, and grapes are choking hazards for young children due to their size. Make sure to cut these up into small chunks to avoid choking.
8. Whole or chopped nuts
Parents should avoid feeding young children whole and chopped nuts. Nuts require very thorough chewing that children of five years and under cannot yet master.
9. Dried fruit
Raisins and other dried fruits can be very sticky and hard to chew for young children. These should be chopped up small to avoid choking.
10. Sausages
Pigs in blankets are sure to appear at most Christmas dinners this year, but the tough skin and awkward shape pose a serious choking hazard to children. Sausages and pigs in blankets should be chopped into small pieces if given to a child under four years old.
11. Christmas cracker toys
Cracker toys are often made from small parts that can be a choking hazard to young children. Child-friendly Christmas crackers can be found online as a safer alternative.
12. Toy packaging
Chunks of polystyrene, plastic and any small parts can be a choking hazard to a child. Make sure to have a family member do a constant sweep of rubbish when people are opening their presents.
What to do if a child under 1 year is choking
First of all you should check your child's mouth to look for any blockages at the back of their throat. If you spot a blockage, use a sweeping motion to move it with your finger.
If the object is not visible, do not try to finger sweep as it may push it in further.
The British Red Cross recommends the following steps for a choking baby.
1. Give Up to Five Back Blows
- Hold and support your baby face down on your thigh with their upper body and head lower than their bottom.
- Then, hit them tightly on their back in the middle of the shoulder blades. Do this five times.
- If the back blow didn’t work, proceed to step 2.
2. Give Up to Five Chest Thrusts
- Turn your baby over, facing upwards, and give up to five chest thrusts. Make sure that you give support to the head.
- Put two fingers between their chest below the nipples and push sharply downwards five times.
3. Call for Medical Attention
- Keep doing the back blows and chest thrusts until you clear the airway.
- Call for medical help, especially if the child’s unresponsive.
A spokesperson from skillstg.co.uk commented:
“It is very beneficial for parents of young children to be aware of simple first aid tips for children, especially in times of emergency. The excitement that comes with the festive season can increase the risk of choking in children, so it is essential for parents to keep a vigilant eye on what young children and babies are putting in their mouths. Chopping up foods to make them more manageable, or avoiding giving these 12 listed foods and items to young children at all, will ensure for a safe Christmas.”
READ NEXT
Christmas optical illusion that can tell you a lot about your personality
Supermarket giants M&S and Aldi battle in court over festive gin bottle dispute
Edinburgh Christmas Market: The official closing date for the popular attraction
The 99p supermarket mince pie crowned 'the best' by Money Saving Expert's blind taste test
Doddie Weir memorial as Scottish rugby legend to be honoured at service today
