Suffocation

Young children are most at risk of suffocation. They are extremely curious and explore their environment while carrying various objects in their mouths.

Some of these objects can easily become lodged in their narrow airways and prevent them from breathing.

Certain foods, such as peanuts, as well as other small objects, such as coins, buttons and pieces from plastic bags, also pose a suffocation risk for young children.

Precautions

• Give your baby objects that they can carry in their mouth without any risk, such as a teething ring or another toy designed for this purpose.
• Replace pacifiers before they show signs of wear and tear.
• Place small objects that pose a suffocation risk out of reach (such as plastic bags, toys for older children, coins, batteries, sweets, buttons, etc.). All small objects pose a suffocation risk for a young child.
• Avoid foods that your child could choke on, such as sweets, peanuts, pistachios and other nuts, etc.
• Make sure your child is calm and sitting down while eating.
• Always supervise your child while they are eating.

First aid

• Learn to recognise the signs of suffocation and respond appropriately.
• A few coughs are often enough to clear the problem.
• In certain cases, the airways remain blocked: the victim chokes and is no longer able to speak. In such a case, it is essential to provide very quick assistance to prevent them from suffocating. This involves urgently performing a simple manoeuvre to expel the foreign body trapped in the larynx or bronchial tubes; this is the only way to save the victim, as the emergency services will not be able to arrive in time.
• Go on a first aid course so you know what to do.