Suffocation and Choking

Anything smaller than a ping pong ball is a choking hazard for young children.
While babies are in the mouthing stage (from infancy to 2-3 yrs) and putting everything in their mouths, all small objects need to be kept out of reach.
​This can be tiring, but is only for a short time. 

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HOW ACCIDENTS CAN BE PREVENTED

​STEP 1 – Spot the hazards

STEP 2 – Decide how to deal with the hazard.

When dealing with hazards remember that:

1. Removing the hazard is the best option where possible (i.e. plastic bags are kept up high and out of reach at all times)
2. Guard against the hazard by installing and using gates and barriers (i.e. a gate at the kitchen entrance to guard against children accessing the hazards)
3. Lock or block the hazard by using safety products to restrict or remove access to the hazards (i.e. blind cord safety wraps to shorten hanging blind cords)
4. Actively supervise within arms reach when there are hazards you are unable to remove, guard or block against (i.e toys with small parts in older children's bedrooms)
5. Never depend on telling children not to do something.

STEP 3 – Make the changes

• Once you have decided how to deal with the hazard, do it straight away. You will feel more relaxed and children will be able to play more safely.
• Combine any barriers you put in place with adult supervision and education.

Feeding

• To avoid choking hazards do not feed young children popcorn, nuts, raw carrots, bones and other hard foods.
• Soft foods such as grapes should be cut into halves or quarters depending on their size to avoid choking. A whole grape is big enough to block a child’s airway.

Cords and Ribbons​

• Ensure that appliances are kept up high or pushed to the back of the bench, are always switched off at the powerpoint when not in use and that all cords are kept short, neat and out of reach. If possible use a cordless kettle and iron or use cord shorteners to avoid strangulation.
• Plastic bags should be tied in the middle and kept out of reach of young children.
• There should be a place up high and out of reach for handbags and school bags so that they’re kept away from young children.
• Do not dress babies in clothing with ribbons or ties, especially clothing with cords near and around the neck.
• Keep washing lines free from hanging objects, like rope and low hanging peg bags.

Toys

• Choose age-appropriate toys. Mandatory standards require that toys for children under 3 years of age must not contain small parts that are a choking hazard. Anything smaller than a ping pong ball or that can fit into a 35mm film canister is a chocking hazard.
• Keep toys for older children out of reach of infants and toddlers and encourage older children to play with smaller toys in a separate room (eg. Lego)
• Check toys regularly for signs of wear and tear and discard broken toys as soon as you notice them.Choose quality toys that are well made. They should not have parts that are likely to break off, seams that could break open easily or have long cords or protruding parts.
• Do not store toys in plastic bags. Children can fall into toy boxes, to avoid suffocation, drill holes in toy boxes for ventilation and use toy box lids that are not attached and do not lock.
• Look for toys with safe, large parts. For examples: large hollow blocks, ring stackers, large jigsaw puzzles (3 to 10 pieces), shape sorters with large shapes.
• Be aware of small parts on toys. Look out for things like loose eyes or buttons on: dolls, stuffed toys, doll prams and houses, beads on activity centres, toy cars etc.