Fairfield County SafeKids Coalition

Airway obstruction injury (suffocation, choking, strangulation) is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children under age 1. The airway obstruction injury death rate among this age group has remained approximately the same since 1987. These injuries occur when children are unable to breathe normally because food or objects block their internal airways (choking); materials block or cover their external airways (suffocation); or items become wrapped around their necks and interfere with breathing (strangulation). Children, especially those under age 3, are particularly vulnerable to airway obstruction death and injury due to the small size of their upper airways, their relative inexperience with chewing, and their natural tendency to put objects in their mouths. Additionally, infants' inability to lift their heads or extricate themselves from tight places puts them at greater risk.

Place infants to sleep on their backs on a firm, flat crib mattress in a crib that meets national safety standards look for a Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association certification label. Remove pillows, comforters, toys and other soft products from the crib.
Always supervise young children while they are eating and playing. Do not allow children under age 6 to eat round or hard foods like peanuts and other nuts, raw carrots, popcorn, seeds, or hard candy. Children under age 6 should not eat hot dogs or grapes unless the skin is removed and the food is chopped into small, non-round pieces. Keep small items such as coins, safety pins, jewelry and buttons out of children's reach. Learn First Aid and CPR.
Consider purchasing a small parts tester to determine whether or not small toys and objects in your home may present a choking hazard to young children.
Ensure that children play with age-appropriate toys according to safety labels. Inspect old and new toys regularly for damage. Make any necessary repairs or discard damaged toys.
Remove hood and neck drawstrings from all children's outerwear. To prevent strangulation, never allow children to wear necklaces, purses, scarves or clothing with drawstrings while on playgrounds.
Tie up all window blind and drapery cords or cut the ends and retrofit with safety tassels. Never hang anything on or above a crib with string or ribbon longer than seven inches.
Do not allow children under age 6 to sleep on the top bunk of a bunk bed. Ensure that all spaces between the guardrail and bed frame and all spaces in the head and foot boards are less than 3.5 inches.