12 Common Choking Hazards in Your Home

12 Common Choking Hazards in Your Home Babies and toddlers learn by exploring the world around them with their senses—yes, that means sticking almost anything they get their hands on in their mouths. This oral exploration is a normal and important part of their development, but it also presents significant risks. Babies and small children are at a high risk of choking: they have small throats (airways) that are roughly the diameter of a drinking straw that are more easily obstructed, and they aren’t developmentally capable of chewing foods adequately. Their gag reflex is also still developing and may not be as effective at preventing objects from entering the airway. Furthermore, young children often lack the judgment to differentiate between edible and non-edible items and may not understand the danger of putting certain objects in their mouths. Here’s what you need to know about the most common choking hazards for little ones, and how to keep your household safe for tiny explorers. Why Young Children Are So Vulnerable Choking occurs when an object blocks the airway, preventing oxygen from reaching the lungs. For young children, several factors contribute to their increased vulnerability: Small Airway Diameter: As mentioned, a young child's trachea (windpipe) is narrow, meaning even small objects can cause a complete blockage. Incomplete Chewing Abilities: Babies and toddlers are still learning to chew and grind food properly. They may swallow food whole or in large pieces. Developing Gag Reflex: While babies have a gag reflex, it's further forward in the mouth than an adult's and may not always prevent an object from being inhaled. Distractibility: Young children are easily distracted, especially during mealtimes. Eating while playing, walking, or running significantly increases choking risk. Tendency to Explore with Mouths: Mouthing objects is a primary way babies and toddlers learn about their environment. Lack of Experience and Judgment: They cannot yet reliably distinguish safe items from dangerous ones. Foods That Are Common Choking Hazards Here’s a little news that will lower your blood pressure: almost all foods can be modified to be developmentally appropriate for your baby, and we’ll include those adjustments, below. Whole hot dogs or sausage links. Hot dogs are the top cause of food-related choking in children under three. Their cylindrical shape and compressible texture allow them to perfectly conform to and block a child's small airway. Avoid serving hot dogs to any child under a year old, and then modify them by halving lengthwise and thinly slicing into semi-circular or very small, irregular pieces when serving to any child under four. Never cut them into round, coin-like pieces, as these still pose a significant risk. Whole grapes and cherry tomatoes. The spherical shape of grapes and tomatoes makes them an instant choking hazard. Like hot dogs, their size and shape can completely plug the airway. Make sure to halve them (top to bottom) for toddlers, and quarter them for babies. Any hard and raw fruits or veggies. Fruits and veggies like apples and carrots should be cooked until soft enough to mash easily with a fork before feeding them to babies that are under twelve months old (and peeled, if applicable). For toddlers, they should be cut into very small pieces (no larger than a half-inch dice) or grated into small shreds. Spoonfuls of peanut butter. Peanut butter should be thinned with breast milk or formula , water, or pureed fruit when introducing it to your baby. For older toddlers, spread it very thinly on a cracker or piece of bread instead of offering a large dollop. Thick, sticky nut butters can be difficult for young children to manage in their mouths and can form a plug in the airway. Chunks of cheese. Cut cheese into small manageable pieces (e.g., thin strips or small crumbles rather than cubes) before giving it to your kiddo. String cheese should also be pulled apart into thin strands or cut into smaller pieces for younger children. Marshmallows. The texture of marshmallows is just right for sticking in windpipes—save marshmallows for children over four. Their soft, sticky, and compressible nature allows them to conform to the airway and create a tight seal. This applies to both large and mini marshmallows. Popcorn and whole nuts. Babies and young children can’t chew popcorn or whole nuts sufficiently to swallow safely. They’re another kind of treat that should be reserved for kiddos over four. Nuts are hard and require significant grinding, which young children cannot do. Popcorn kernels can be inhaled, and the fluffy part can be difficult to manage. Gum and hard candy. Gum and candy (like lollipops, round hard candies, jelly beans, caramels, or taffy) is especially easy for kids to inhale, so it’s best to just avoid them entirely (and save the sugar consumption, too!). Their hard, slippery, or sticky textures make them significant hazards. Additional Food Choking Hazards to Watch For Large pieces of meat: Tough or large chunks of meat can be difficult to chew. Cut meat into very small, tender pieces (pea-sized or smaller). Fish with bones: Ensure all bones are meticulously removed. Dry, crumbly foods: Crackers, chips, or pretzels can break into sharp pieces or be inhaled. Offer small amounts and ensure your child is seated and supervised. Sticky foods: Besides marshmallows and taffy, things like dried fruit (especially whole raisins or cranberries) can be problematic. Soaking dried fruit to soften it or cutting it into smaller pieces is recommended. Bagels and dry bread: These can be doughy and difficult to chew. Offer in small, manageable pieces, perhaps lightly toasted. Raw peas: While small, their round shape can be a hazard. Cook until soft or mash them. Household Items That Are Common Choking Hazards An easy rule of thumb for determining if an object is a choking hazard: if it fits within the tube inside a roll of toilet paper, it’s a choking hazard. This is known as the "small parts test tube" standard used by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). If an object, or any piece that can break off, fits entirely within this cylinder (approximately 1.25 inches in diameter and 2.25 inches long), it's too small for children under three. Balloons. Uninflated or broken (popped) latex balloons are the leading cause of non-food choking-related deaths in children. They are easily inhaled by children trying to blow them up, or by children chewing on uninflated balloons (and even pieces of balloons that have popped). Latex can conform to the throat, creating an airtight seal that is difficult to dislodge. If you’re in party prep mode, opt for the Mylar version instead, and always supervise children closely around any balloons. Dispose of popped balloon pieces immediately and keep uninflated balloons out of reach. Coins. The round shape makes any coin a choking hazard, but quarters and nickels pose the biggest risk because of their size. Coins are commonly ingested and can easily lodge in the esophagus or airway. Keep purses, pockets, and low surfaces clear of loose change. Bottle tops and caps. Tops from water and soda bottles (and other containers like toothpaste or art supplies) are often left lying around the house or car, and the cylindrical shape makes them a choking hazard. Small Toy Parts. Toys intended for older children often contain small parts that are dangerous for babies and toddlers. This includes items like LEGOs, small doll accessories (shoes, bottles), game pieces, marbles, and parts from broken toys. Always adhere to age recommendations on toy packaging and regularly inspect toys for loose or broken pieces. Button Batteries. These small, shiny batteries found in remote controls, key fobs, greeting cards, and some toys are extremely dangerous. If swallowed, they can get stuck in the esophagus and cause severe chemical burns in as little as two hours. Keep battery compartments securely closed and store spare batteries out of reach. Magnets. Small, powerful magnets (often found in desk toys or construction sets for older children) can cause serious internal injuries if more than one is swallowed, as they can attract each other through intestinal walls. Jewelry. Small beads, charms, earrings (especially backs), and broken pieces of jewelry can be easily choked on. Avoid letting young children wear jewelry that could break or be pulled off. Pen Caps and Marker Caps. These are often chewed on and can be inhaled. Art and Craft Supplies. Small items like beads, googly eyes, pom-poms, and small crayon pieces are hazards. Office Supplies. Paper clips, thumbtacks, staples, rubber bands, and erasers should be kept well out of reach. Hair Accessories. Small barrettes, hair elastics (rubber bands), and decorative clips can be choking hazards if they come loose. Pet Food and Supplies. Dry pet food kibble is often the perfect size and shape to be a choking hazard for a curious crawler. Small pet toys can also be dangerous. Plastic Bags and Film. Thin plastic bags (like dry cleaning bags or produce bags) and plastic film can cling to a child's face and cause suffocation. Tie them in knots before discarding and keep them away from children. Latex Gloves. Similar to balloons, pieces of latex gloves can be inhaled and block the airway. Buttons. Loose buttons from clothing or craft supplies are a risk. Screws, Nuts, Bolts, and Other Small Hardware. These items can be found loose around the house, especially during DIY projects. Silica Gel Packets. Often found in new shoe boxes or packaging, these small packets can be mistaken for food. Cigarette Butts. If there are smokers in or visiting the household, ensure butts are disposed of safely and out of reach, as they are toxic and a choking hazard. Safe Food Preparation and Feeding Practices Cook foods until soft: Especially hard fruits and vegetables. They should be easily mashable with a fork or the side of a spoon. Steaming or boiling are good methods. Cut foods appropriately: Aim for pieces no larger than one-half inch for toddlers. For babies, food should be mashable. Remember to cut round foods like grapes and hot dogs lengthwise and then into smaller pieces. For babies just starting solids (around 6 months), purees or very soft, mashable finger foods are safest. As they develop chewing skills, you can gradually introduce soft, diced foods. For toddlers (1-3 years), continue to cut food into small, manageable pieces, generally no larger than ½ inch. Avoid coin shapes. Think long and thin (like a French fry shape, then cut smaller) rather than round. Remove seeds, pits, and tough skins: These can be difficult to chew or may pose their own choking risk. This includes apple peels, grape skins (for very young children), and seeds from fruits like watermelon or oranges. Supervise all mealtimes: Never leave a young child unattended while eating. Stay within arm's reach and watch them closely. This allows you to intervene quickly if they start to choke. Ensure child eats sitting down: Discourage eating while walking, running, playing, or lying down. Eating in a stable, upright position (like in a high chair or at a small table) reduces the risk of food going down the wrong way. Avoid feeding in a moving car as well, as it's difficult to supervise and assist if choking occurs. Encourage thorough chewing (as they get older): Model good chewing habits yourself. Gently remind them to "chew, chew, chew" their food before swallowing. Don't rush them through meals. Offer small amounts of food at a time: Don't overload their plate or mouth. This helps prevent them from stuffing too much food in their mouth at once, which increases choking risk. Be aware of older siblings sharing inappropriate foods: Older children may not understand the choking risks for their younger siblings and might offer them unsafe foods or small toy parts. Educate older children about safe sharing. Create a calm mealtime environment: Minimize distractions like TV or tablets. A focused eater is a safer eater. Know your child's developmental stage: Introduce new textures and food sizes gradually as your child's chewing and swallowing skills develop. ** Avoid propping bottles: If bottle-feeding, always hold the baby and the bottle. Propping a bottle can lead to choking or aspiration. Preventing Choking on Household Items Regular Sweeps and Childproofing: Get down on your hands and knees to see the world from your child's perspective. Regularly scan floors, under furniture, between couch cushions, and low surfaces for small objects. Childproof drawers and cabinets that may contain hazardous items using safety latches. In hotels, look under beds and dressers for stray objects and pills. Safe Toy Storage: Store toys with small parts intended for older children separately and securely away from younger children. Use toy chests with no lids or safety hinges that prevent them from slamming shut. Check Age Recommendations: Pay close attention to the age guidelines on toys and games. These are often based on safety, including the presence of small parts. Inspect Toys Regularly: Check for broken parts, loose eyes or buttons on stuffed animals, or splintering wood. Discard or repair damaged toys immediately. Secure Battery Compartments: Ensure battery compartments on toys and household devices are screwed shut or otherwise secured. Use strong tape if the compartment is easily opened. Educate Older Children and Visitors: Teach older siblings not to share small toys or inappropriate foods with younger children and to help keep small items picked up. Inform visitors about keeping small items (like medications in purses) out of reach. Vigilant Supervision: Constant and attentive supervision is the most effective way to prevent choking incidents, especially when children are eating or playing. Create Safe Play Zones: Designate specific areas for play that are thoroughly childproofed and free of small objects. Be Mindful of "Hidden" Hazards: Think about items that might not be obvious, like loose magnets on the fridge, decorative items on low shelves, or items in a guest's purse left on the floor. What To Do in Case of Choking: Be Prepared The best way to be prepared is to take an accredited infant and child CPR and first aid course. Organizations like the American Red Cross and American Heart Association offer these courses. Hands-on training is invaluable. Finding What’s Right for You Albee Baby is the oldest family-owned specialty baby shop in the US, and we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best assortment of baby products anywhere, at fair prices, always. We’re committed to being an inclusive resource for parents, and hope you’re feeling empowered to find the right safety products and information for your family. Still have questions? Feel free to contact our baby gear experts at 877.692.5233 or by email at info@albeebaby.com. Your child's safety is our utmost priority, and creating a safe environment is an ongoing process of vigilance, education, and love. By understanding these common choking hazards and implementing preventative measures, you can significantly reduce the risk and help your little explorer thrive safely.