Protect Children from Choking Hazards at School and at Home
As children across the country have now been in school for a couple months, it is a good time to review safety tips to prevent children of all ages from choking. This risk is particularly acute in schools, as research has shown adults in the lunchroom have not necessarily received training on how to perform the Heimlich maneuver.
Parents with school-aged children would be wise to discuss safety tips with their youngsters. In addition, parents with infants and toddlers should be aware of the best ways to prevent their children from choking. Doing so could keep children from sustaining severe personal injuries or, in the worst cases, suffering a wrongful death.
Choking Accidents in Schools
Parents of children in school do not bear the burden of protecting their children while they are on school grounds. Schools should provide training to prevent choking to adults present in the lunchroom on a regular basis, such as food service workers and teacher supervisors. In many schools, the only choking prevention strategy employed is posters detailing the steps of the Heimlich maneuver hung inside the lunchroom. When an emergency presents itself, if those in the vicinity have not received training, a poster is unlikely to provide any significant assistance.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, every five days, a child dies in the United States as a result of choking on food. The environment of a school cafeteria makes children especially susceptible to such accidents. For instance, a child is more likely to choke on food when he or she is active. Consequently, a choking hazard exists when the child is talking, eating too quickly, laughing or walking. All of these behaviors are common in school lunchrooms, where children are often engaged with their friends while also eating their meals.
Tips to Protect Children from Choking, at Home and School
Children under the age of three are the most at risk of choking on food. As a result, they should not be fed pieces of hard foods that are small and round. These types of foods include:
- Hot dogs
- Nuts
- Hard candy
- Grapes
- Popcorn
- Pieces of cheese
- Raw fruit or vegetables
- Jellybeans
When children are young, it is best to feed them soft foods that are easy to swallow. In addition, children should always be seated upright when they are eating. These tips, while especially important for very young children, can also be employed to prevent older children from choking while eating.
It is also important to note that food is not the only cause of children choking. Toys with small pieces that children can put in their mouths are another common hazard.
When a child dies after choking, it is possible a third party is liable for the tragic incident. If the accident occurred at school and adult supervisors failed to take action or the child choked on a toy with a manufacturing defect – the responsible parties should be held accountable. In such situations, a knowledgeable Pittsburgh personal injury attorney will ensure your rights are protected and just compensation is received.