Choking – why mini eggs are dangerous for small children
Posted by Keri Hartwright
Last updated 27th March 2023
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Choking is total blockage of the airways by an obstruction. This can be food or small objects and children put a lot of things in their mouth. It is is a really big risk for children under the age of 5 for this reason.
The key is to managing choking is to try and reduce the risk. You can do this in the following ways:
- Making sure they are seated
- Keeping an eye on the size of the food
- Watching your children at all times when they are eating, try to avoid preparing food or washing up whilst they are eating.
- Discourage them from talking when eating
- Encourage them to empty their mouth before talking or leaving the table.
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How do I know they are choking
Signs of choking- They are unable to cough
- They cannot breathe
- Silent
- They become pale or blue around the lips
- They tend to freeze and look terrified
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What do I do if they are choking?
If your child is choking encourage them to cough, If this doesn’t work shout for help or put your phone on loud speaker and liaise with the emergency services while you administer 5 firm back blows in between their shoulder blades. Then alternate to give 5 abdominal thrusts. Reaching round their body and putting a fist between the belly button and the sternum (bottom of the ribs) Link your hands together and pull in sharply under the sternum. Stop when the object comes out.
If this hasn’t worked make sure an ambulance has been called and continue to alternate back blows and abdominal thrusts. If they become unconscious start CPR.
There is no time to waste with managing choking, for more information open what to do, buy not book a first aid course today?