Most incidences of accidental child strangulation, suffocation,
and choking occur in the home. Parents should take extra care to
childproof the house for young children, keeping in mind that
the airways of young children are much smaller and easier to
obstruct. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that
children younger than 4 years old should not be fed any round,
firm foods unless they are cut into small, nonround pieces.
Young children may not chew food properly before swallowing,
increasing the risk of swallowing the food whole and choking.
Food to avoid or cut into small pieces for children under age 4
include the following: Chunks of peanut butter In addition,
always supervise your young children when they are eating.
Sometimes, choking can occur when an older child feeds his or
her younger sibling unsafe food. Young children should also sit
while eating, and never walk, play, or run with food in their
mouths. Special Note: Hot dogs and grapes can be eaten by young
children as long as the skins