Top 10 Tips on How to Avoid Choking

Introduction to Choking:

Choking happens when something food or another item is caught in the back of the throat. Suppose the object (or food) blocks the top of the trachea; a person may be unable to breathe. This is an emergency.

It is also possible that food or other things can get stuck in the esophagus; while painful, this does not cause a person to stop breathing. This article will cover the causes, prevention, and treatment of choking.

This is how Choking happens.

What Should I Do If Someone is Choking?

If someone is choking, you should determine whether or not they can talk. If they can talk, cough, or make other noises that indicate air passage, let them clear their airways independently.
Intervention at this point may cause further lodging of the object to occur.
If an individual has something caught in the esophagus, they will still breathe and speak, but it may be painful, especially when swallowing. They may also drool.
You should seek medical attention so the object can either be retrieved or pushed into the stomach.
If the person choking cannot speak or make other noises, they will not be able to breathe either. An indication that a person is not breathing is cyanosis. This is an emergency.
It would help if you started abdominal thrusts, also known as the Heimlich maneuver. If you are alone, call for immediate medical help.

Here are the Top 10 Tips

Don't offer hard foods: The most important thing in this, don't offer small, hard foods to children younger than three or four years of age. Kids may swallow these foods before they are adequately chewed. For example; Small, hard foods- nuts, seeds, popcorn, snack chips, snack puffs, and whole olives. Candies- hard candy, lollipops, and chewing gum.

Don't feed slippery foods: Don't feed slippery foods to kids under age four. Whole grapes and large pieces of meats, poultry, and hot dogs may slide down their throats before they can chew.
Chop foods into small pieces: Cut grapes, meat, poultry, and other foods into small pieces. For toddlers and preschoolers, cut foods into slightly large pieces they can bite and chew.

Watch out for sticky foods: These foods also can be difficult for young children; toffy, soft candies with a firm texture such as gel or gummy candies. Caramels, marshmallows, jelly beans, dried fruits, cherries, etc.

Be careful with nut butter: This includes being careful with nut butter. Spread only a thin layer of bread. Avoid giving your baby peanut butter and other nut butter from a spoon or finger. If it gets stuck in your baby's throat, breathing may be impaired.

Avoid propping your baby's bottle: Th bottle content can collect in the back of the baby's mouth and cause gagging. On the other hand, fluid can travel into the ears and cause an infection. Refrain from feeding your baby in the car too.

Offer appropriate foods: Good finger foods for older babies and toddlers are pieces of banana, graham crackers, strips of cheese, or bagels.
Watch your children while they eat: That includes watching older brothers and sisters who may offer foods that younger children can't handle yet.
Insist that children sit to eat or drink: While your children are young, teach them not to eat when lying down, walking, or running.
Encourage chewing: As your kid develop eating skills, encourage them to take time to chew well.

Prevent yourself from choking by chewing food completely.