Choking and Suffocation
Fact Sheet
Choking and
suffocation are
serious risks for
children aged from
birth to eight years.
This type of injury for
children in this age
group is increasing
across Victoria,
with the number of
children admitted
to hospital in 2001
(64 children) almost
doubling by 2005
(to 108 children).
Choking occurs when
a solid object, such
as food, is lodged
within the airway.
Suffocation and
strangulation occurs
when the outside of
the mouth, nose or
throat is blocked by
materials such as
rope or plastic.
Guidelines for the
Prevention of Choking
and SuffocationRelated Injury
Curtains and Blinds
Cords hanging from curtains or blinds
can cause a range of injuries for
children, even strangulation. Position
cots, playpens, beds, high chairs and
other furniture away from curtain
and blind cords, to prevent children
using them to pull themselves up.
Simple mechanisms called cleats or
cord tension devices to keep cords
out of reach may be purchased from
hardware stores. It is recommended
that the bottom of any cord should
be at least 1600mm above the floor.
Sleeping
Infants are safest in cots, but even
cots, portable cots or beds designed
for children can be dangerous. If
the mattress is not the correct size
for the cot it is possible for a child’s
small head to get caught in the gap
between the mattress and the side,
causing suffocation. Babies and
children should not be placed on
adult beds or couches to sleep due
to the risk of falling or smothering.
Strangulation may be caused by
corner posts or exposed nails or
hooks snagging a child’s clothes.
Toys or mobiles that have elastic/
stretch cords should not be left in
the cot as they may also lead to
strangulation. Bibs, hair elastics and
clips should also be removed before
putting the child into the cot as these
can get twisted around a child’s
neck or they might enter the child’s
mouth. Doonas, V shaped pillows,
cot bumpers, cushions or bean bags
should not be used in the cot or bed
as they pose a smothering hazard
to young children. All other items
placed in the cot, such as soft toys,
should be kept to the bare minimum
to further reduce smothering risks.
Dummies
When buying a dummy, ensure
it meets Australian Standards by
checking it is labelled so on the
packaging. Buy the correct size
dummy for a child’s age, which
should also be indicated on the
packaging. Monitor the dummy
regularly for signs of wear and
tear by pulling and tugging on the
teat and handle. Do not attach
the dummy to string/ribbon as it
can become twisted around a
child’s neck.
Eating
Children should be supervised while
eating at all times. It is best that
children do not eat whilst crying,
laughing or running around. It is
very important to introduce foods
appropriate to the child’s age,
and serve the food in a way that
minimises choking risks. Either cook,
puree, mash or grate hard foods and
ensure food is cut into an appropriate
size. Seek help from a health
professional if you are unsure about
introducing solid foods to your child.
Toys
Toys are an important component
of a child’s physical, cognitive and
social development. However, some
toys can be dangerous. The following
general guidelines can minimise risks
to children:
• Buy toys appropriate for a
child’s age.
•
Ensure toys are assembled correctly and monitor the
condition of the toy regularly. Keep instruction manuals for
future reference.
•
Children under three should not
be given toys with small or detachable parts (that fit within a 35mm film canister) as they
may suck or chew on them, which can cause choking. Make
sure all small parts of stuffed toys, such as the eyes, nose and
hair, cannot be pulled off by the child, and that seams are securely sewn.
Bean Bags, Balloons
and Plastics
Never put a baby on a bean bag as
they can easily roll and their face
can become covered causing
asphyxia. Ensure bean bag type toys
are well sealed so that the filling
cannot escape, as the polystyrene
beads can be a choking hazard if
inhaled by children.
Supervise children at all times
when playing with balloons. Dispose
of burst balloons immediately as
children may suck on them and
inhale the rubber. Balloons should
not be tied to prams or cots in case
they burst and are within reach of the
child. If balloons are tied with string,
it should be shorter than 22 cm to
minimise the risk of strangulation.
References
Plastic covering, such as shopping
bags, dry cleaning bags and cling
wrap pose a significant risk of
suffocation to children. Plastic items
should be disposed of immediately
after unwrapping, with a knot tied in
the middle of the plastic to prevent
it being placed over a child’s head.
Plastic items should always be stored
out of reach of children.
Australian Competition and
Consumer Commission, (ACCC)
2006, Baby Dummies: Keep Baby
Safe [Brochure], ACCC, Canberra.
Clothing
When choosing clothing for children,
consider potential choking and
suffocation risks, such as:
• ties and ribbons that may pull too tightly around the child’s neck
Australian Competition and
Consumer Commission, (ACCC)
2007, Blind and Curtain Cords
[Brochure], ACCC, Canberra.
Australian Competition and
Consumer Commission, (ACCC)
2006, Safe Toys for Kids,
ACCC, Canberra.
The Royal Children’s Hospital
Safety Centre, 2007, Choking and
Suffocating [Brochure], The Royal
Children’s Hospital, Melbourne.
Monash University Accident Research
Centre, 2007, Data Extracted for the
City of Casey (Hospital admissions
for injury, Victorian children aged
0-8 years, 2001-2005; Emergency
department presentations for injury,
Victorian children aged 0-8 years,
2001-2006), Unpublished Data.
• necklaces or headpieces that may get caught on other objects or around the child’s neck or mouth
•
cords and drawstrings on winter clothing, such as raincoats and hooded jumpers, that may get caught on play equipment.
© City of Casey 2008
Cranbourne Centro Cranbourne
Narre Warren Magid Drive
Narre Warren South Amberly
Park Shopping Centre
Telephone: 03 9705 5200
Facsimile: 03 9704 9544
TTY: 03 9705 5568
TIS: 131 450 (Translating and Interpreting Service)
Magid Drive, PO Box 1000
Narre Warren Vic 3805
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.casey.vic.gov.au