5 Common Choking Hazards Most Parents Overlook (And How to Fix Them)
We all know to keep marbles and coins away from babies. But did you know that some of the most dangerous choking hazards are healthy foods found in your kitchen right now? A child's windpipe is about the width of a drinking straw. Anything round, firm, and slippery can slide down and block it completely, acting like a plug. Because a choking child cannot make a noise, it is often a silent accident. Here are the top 5 hazards you need to ban (or modify) until your child is at least 4 years old. 1. Whole Grapes and Cherry Tomatoes These are the perfect shape to block an airway. They are smooth and compressible, making them hard to cough out. The Fix: Never serve them whole. You must slice them lengthwise (vertically) into quarters so they are thin strips, not round balls. 2. Popcorn It seems like a harmless snack, but popcorn is light, dry, and jagged. It can easily be inhaled into the lungs while a child is laughing or running, causing infection or blockage. The Fix: Save popcorn...