Five seemingly harmless things your toddler can choke on
Your toddler choking is any parent’s worst nightmare. When it comes to choking, prevention is key – and knowing which foods and objects can cause choking can help reduce the risk. Here are five seemingly harmless things that can be choking hazards: Grapes Toddlers enjoy sharing food with parents and can take a full grape …
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Your toddler choking is any parent’s worst nightmare. When it comes to choking, prevention is key – and knowing which foods and objects can cause choking can help reduce the risk.
Here are five seemingly harmless things that can be choking hazards:
- Grapes
Toddlers enjoy sharing food with parents and can take a full grape and shove it down their throats. It can get lodged in your child’s windpipe if served whole. To be on the safe side, rather cut grapes in halves or quarters before offering them to your little one. Allow them enough time to chew and shallow before giving them more.
- Balloons
Children love seeing different coloured balloons floating around the home. But if a balloon pops and you don’t pick up the pieces, it may become a choking hazard. A piece of burst balloon can completely seal your child’s airway.
- Plastic bottle caps
Plastic bottles can easily keep your child busy as you run errands. While a bottle may not look like a choking threat, it is if your toddler removes the cap it can be. Toys and objects that can fit through an empty toilet paper roll are not safe to give to babies and toddlers.
- Batteries
Babies and toddlers love playing with toys and remote controls that use batteries. When they drop them, the batteries may be released and their curious minds may see them putting the battery in their mouth. Besides being a choking hazard, lithium (button) batteries can do serious and severe damage in as little as two hours if ingested. If the back of battery-operated household objects can’t be screwed in, then tape them closed.
- Peanut butter
Peanut butter can be a choking danger to your tot. Not only does peanut butter stick to the palate but it can create a seal around your child’s airway.