Airway Obstruction
Airway obstruction, which includes choking, suffocation, and
strangulation, prevents oxygen from entering the lungs and brain. Lack of
oxygen to the brain for more than four minutes may result in brain damage
or death. Airway obstruction can occur when children choke on an object
that is blocking the airway, suffocate on items that block or cover the
airways, or strangle themselves with items that become wrapped around
their necks.
Infants and children under age 4 are particularly at risk for choking
on food or small objects because their upper airways are smaller, they are
less experienced in chewing food properly, and they tend to explore things
with their mouths. In fact, airway obstruction is the leading cause of
unintentional injury-related death among children under age 1. In
addition, infants are at increased risk of suffocation and strangulation,
because they may be unable to lift their heads or get out of tight places.
To protect your child from choking, suffocating, or strangulation,
familiarize yourself with the dangers associated with each age group.
Consider the following safety recommendations:
- Infants should sleep on their backs on firm, flat, crib mattresses
in cribs that meet national safety standards.
- Do not put pillows, comforters, soft toys, and other items in an
infant's crib.
- Keep certain foods that are choking hazards away from children under
age 4.
- Never let children run, play, or walk with food in their mouths.
- Cut food into small pieces for young children and teach them to chew
properly.
- Supervise your child closely when he/she is eating.
- Keep small toys, parts, and other small items that can be choking
hazards, away from young children.
- Remove drawstrings from the outerwear of clothing for young
children.
- Tie up or cut all window blind and drapery cords.
- Make sure the spaces between guardrails and bed frames, and between
the head- and foot-board of beds, are less than 3.5 inches.
- A small parts tester can help you determine whether an object is a
choking hazard. A small parts tester allows for small objects to be
inserted - if the object fits, it is a choking hazard.
There are many ways the airways can become obstructed (blocked)
requiring the emergency clinical care by a physician or other healthcare
professional. Listed in the directory below are some other considerations,
for which a brief overview has been provided.
If you cannot find the information in which you are interested, please
visit the Safety and Injury Prevention Online
Resources page in this Web site for an Internet/World Wide Web address
that may contain additional information on that topic.
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