The best way to prevent choking is to try to reduce a child’s exposure to items that may present a choking hazard. Caregivers are urged to get down on their hands and knees and crawl around the house so they can get a child’s perspective on potential dangers.

Children should eat at a table whenever possible. They should always sit up and should never eat when running, walking, playing or lying down. Caregivers should supervise all meals of infants and young children, and cut all foods into pieces that are no larger than a half-inch (1.27 centimeters). Children also should be encouraged to chew food thoroughly before swallowing.

The following foods are known to present a choking hazard and should not be served whole to children younger than age 4:

• Cheese chunks
• Chewing gum
• Chunks of peanut butter
• Grapes (whole)
• Hard, gooey or sticky candy
• Hot dogs
• Meat chunks
• Nuts
• Popcorn
• Raisins
• Seeds
• Raw vegetables

Other tips to prevent choking include:

• Do no feed round, firm foods to children under age 4
  
  
• Do not give old balloons or toys with small parts to children under age 3
  
  
• Keep an eye on toys of older siblings and keep them away from young children
  
  
• Teach older children not to give foods, toys or other small objects to younger children
  
  
• Follow age guidelines on packages when choosing toys
  
  
• Keep coins away from infants and young children
  
  
• Look under furniture and between cushions for potential choking hazards

Most health experts tend to advise against breastfeeding for mothers with pierced nipples due to safety concerns including injury to the baby’s lips, gums, tongue and palate as well as the infant’s risk of swallowing and choking on the jewelry. However, recent research indicates that the practice may be possible with proper education and training for the mother. Women with such concerns are urged to consult with their baby’s pediatrician or a lactation consultant for guidance and instruction.

Caregivers are urged to learn basic life support techniques such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) so that they can aid their child during a choking emergency. Techniques such as the Heimlich maneuver also should be learned from a trained professional. While CPR and the Heimlich maneuver can saves lives, they also can injure the patient if not performed correctly.