by Virginia L. Allen

Created on: July 16, 2009

Among the most common safety hazards for babies and toddlers, choking or strangulation easily tops the list. In addition to parental vigilance, educating yourself on choking hazards and the ways to prevent them, will empower parents to lower their baby and toddlers risk of choking.

A.) Hazard - (Introducing Solid Food Too Soon) Often due to pressure by family and friends, mothers tend to introduce solid foods to their infants far too early. Babies tongues are conditioned to suck in liquids and not to push solid food back for proper swallowing. Due to this, mothers may concoct a kind of baby-food milk shake by diluting the food in formula or breast-milk. Thereby, increasing the baby's risk of choking.

* Prevention - Resist the urge to introduce solid food too soon. Consult with your baby's pediatrician about the appropriate time to do this.

B.) Hazard - (Foods) Foods such as apple pieces, raw carrot sticks, cookies, and popcorn, pose as a huge choking hazard for babies and toddlers. Out of these foods however, the four foods that have caused the most deaths are hot dogs, hard candies, grapes and nuts.

* Prevention - Never feed children under the age of four any of the foods listed above.

C.) Hazard - (Toys) Small toys, or toys with small removable parts, can pose as a choking hazard for both babies and children alike. Even the eyes and buttons on stuffed animals can break loose and be lodged in a baby or toddler's throat.

* Prevention - Always ensure that all eyes and buttons are tightly secured on stuffed animals. Always encourage older children and responsible adults to keep small toys off the floor and out of baby's and toddler's reach. In addition, use a toy size checking device to distinguish what toys are too small for your little one to play with.

D.) Hazards - (Electrical Cords and Blind Cords) "Toddlers need as little as 7 inches of a loose cable, a dangling mouse cord behind the computer or a jump rope hanging from a chair to create a noose". - so stated Michael Ferraresi of 'The Arizona Republic'. In addition, hanging blind cords or electrical cords from appliances can also be an added choking hazard for babies and toddlers as well.

* Prevention - Never allow hanging electrical cords to hang loosely in the reach of babies and toddlers. Never place a baby crib or toddler's bed near windows with dangling blind cords.

E.) Hazard - (Small Random Objects) Small random objects such as neckties, long hair ribbons, drawstrings, marbles, beads, paper-clips,

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