Common Choking Hazards at Summer Cookouts
Summer is here! Cookouts are in full swing, and with the July 4th holiday upon us, I wanted to have a very serious conversation before the fun begins.
Did you know that hot dogs make up 17% of food-related choking deaths?
While they are thought of as a staple at most outdoor gatherings, it’s important to use extreme caution when offering them.
Not only are they the perfect circular shape of the windpipe, they are usually soft on the inside and have a tougher casing on the outside. This casing is very hard to break down, and while your little one is chewing the softer inside, they may start to swallow before the food is fully broken down.
This can then result in gagging, maybe panic, and oral incoordination, which then leads to that piece of hot dog in the windpipe- and just like that your little one is choking.
Not to mention, when your little one bites off a piece of hot dog, it is the perfect diameter to get stuck in their windpipe, which is a recipe for disaster.
Common Choking Risks
Any food that is round should be AT LEAST quartered (cut into fourths) for children under 5 (and even older if you still don’t feel comfortable).
Common round foods that need to be cut up small:
Hot dogs
Grapes
Cherry tomatoes
Cherries
Beef sticks
Other common cookout foods that are choking risks:
Small blocks of cheese
Circular cut raw vegetables like carrots
Whole nuts and large seeds
Globs of melted cheese
Globs of nut butters
Chips
Hard crackers
Candy
Popcorn
Marshmallows
Serving these foods cut up small or in thin strips is best. For nut butters, make sure they are spread thinly on foods, as thick globs can get stuck in the airway.]
For littles under the age of 1, softer foods with skin like blueberries and black beans should be smooshed down when served for safe offering.
How to Prevent Choking:
Toddlers are more likely to choke at cookouts or events because they are often eating while standing, running, or moving around. Eating while moving greatly increases the risk of choking.
Bring a Travel High Chair
I know it can be very distracting at a cookout and hard to find a quiet place to eat and focus, so try your best.
Bringing along a travel high chair that can keep your little one in a seated position while eating is a great idea. Bring new toys for them to play with while eating to motivate them to stay in their seat and eat. Then, let them run around once the meal is over.
Stay Close to your Little One
Make sure to keep eyes on your little one when around food.
Toddlers especially, since they are exploring their newfound independence of self-feeding, are more likely to grab food off the table. They may be excited to try this new food and not realize that it is a choking risk. This is common with foods like chips or hard pretzels that are usually in easy-to-access spots.
If you are hosting a cookout, try to keep those foods that are choking risks out of easy reach for little ones.
Try New Foods
Cookouts also bring opportunity for your little one to try a new food!
I don’t want to scare you into not bringing your little one anywhere- choking is just a very serious reality that we need to discuss.
On the flip side, cookouts often have fun new foods your little one might be inclined to try in their new environment:
Mild salsa
Guacamole
Potato salad
Pasta salad
Fruit salad (cut up)
Dips
These foods are usually very soft or add a little pizazz to previously eaten foods. Give them a shot with your little one! Just model how to eat them and offer- if your baby or toddler isn't’ into it, it’s ok!
TIP:
If your little one is interested in trying a new food that is harder in texture or you’re not sure how they will manage it, offer it in a very thin slice! Think about a potato peeler- THAT thin. Start them off with thin slices like that and then move to thicker or bigger pieces once you know they can manage that new texture well. This is especially a good trick for harder fruits and vegetables like raw apples (no skin), carrots, and peppers.
Enjoy your time at cookouts this summer, just make sure you’re watching your littles closely, modifying foods to make them safe for eating, and keeping your littles in a seated position when eating foods!
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