 |
Causes and Signals of Choking
Did you know that more than 3,000 people die each year as a
result of choking? Would you be able to recognize if a family member or friend
started to choke? Do you know what activities might lead to choking? Here are
some common causes of choking:
- Trying to swallow large pieces of poorly chewed food.
- Drinking alcohol before or during meals. Alcohol dulls the nerves that aid
in swallowing.
- Wearing dentures. Dentures make it difficult to sense whether food is
fully chewed before it is swallowed.
- Eating while talking excitedly or laughing.
- Eating too fast.
- Walking, playing, or running with food or objects in the mouth.
These are just some of the causes of choking. If you want to
learn more about the signals of choking or the care needed to give to a person
who is choking, find out about our
CPR and AED courses.
Contact the Lincoln Way Chapter for a schedule of courses in your area.
Follow these safety precautions to help prevent children from
choking:
- Don't leave small objects, such as buttons, coins and beads within an
infant's reach.
- Have children sit in a high chair or at a table while they eat.
- Do not let children eat too fast.
- Give infants soft food that they do not need to chew.
- Make sure that toys are too large to be swallowed.
- Do not give infants and young children foods like nuts, grapes, popcorn or
raw vegetables.
- Make sure that toys have no small parts that could be pulled off.
- Cut foods a child can choke on easily such as hot dogs, into small pieces.
- Supervise children while they eat.
Return to Tip Archive
|
