The most common choking hazards for babies and children

CE Safety's latest report reveals hot dogs as one of the most dangerous foods to serve to children if they aren't served correctly.

They should be cut lengthways, say experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

This stops them from being dangerous round shapes that could form a ‘plug’ in your child’s throat.

More about the dangers of sausages for little ones, here.

Dr Gary Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at the Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio, said, ‘If you were to take the best engineers in the world and try to design the perfect plug for a child's airway, it would be a hot dog.’ 

CE Safety added that sausages and hot dogs should also be peeled.

These small chocolate eggs come with an age restriction, which advises that they're only suitable for children aged four and up.

Choking on a grape is the third most common cause of death among children who die in food-related choking incidents. 

A report published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood says the size and shape of grapes means that they can completely block a child’s airways.

Parents are advised to always cut grapes lengthways. 

Apples should be finely chopped or grated, or cooked until they are very soft and mushy (core removed). Also peel the apple first – the tough skin can stick in your child’s throat and cause them to choke. 

St John Ambulance advises parents not to let your child eat in the car, when walking, watching television, or doing anything else that might distract her from chewing and swallowing, or where you can't supervise your child. 

Avoid giving your baby or child marshmallows. These can swell and expand if they get stuck in your child’s throat, which makes it harder to remove if they are choking. 

In a report for the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr Gary Smith included marshmallows in the list of foods which should not be given to children under the age of four or five.

Raw carrots are another choking hazard that Dr Smith recommends not giving to children under the age of four or five.

If a baby or toddler bites a piece of hard raw carrot off, it could cause them to choke.

Instead, always cook the carrot until it’s soft and then cut into sticks.

The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends food is cut into pieces, no larger than half an inch. 

Nuts are also regarded as a choking hazard for babies and children.

The NHS advises that whole nuts, including peanuts, shouldn't be given to children under five, for this reason. 

The thick consistency of peanut butter means it can be very hard for a child to swallow. 

Never serve peanut butter on a spoon. Instead, spread a thin layer on toast. 

Unless your baby has no food allergies –and there are no family allergies – babies can be given peanut butter when they are six months old. 

The shape of boiled sweets means they could block your child’s throat.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents says boiled sweets shouldn’t be given to children under the age of four. 

Meanwhile the American Academy of Pediatrics says chewing gum shouldn’t be given to a child until she is old enough to understand that she shouldn’t swallow it, because of choking risks. 

There have been tragic cases of young children dying after choking on popcorn. 

And it’s another food that the American Academy of Pediatrics advises shouldn’t be given to children under the age of four or five.

This is because young children can’t yet chew food enough to grind it down.

And that could mean unchewed pieces of popcorn get stuck and block your child’s airway. 

White bread can often form into a large pasty texture in the back of your child's throat and very quickly become stuck which can cause breathing difficulties or choking.

Foods with coarse textures can be extremely dangerous for young children.

These dry foods can't easily be broken down and the hard edges can scratch the inside of your child's throat.

The hard texture means chunks of cheese can easily become wedged in the back of your child's throat – even if it's been cut into small chunks.

Bones can be incredibly harmful to children if they become wedges.

Some 'boneless' meats could still have a small bone in, so be sure to check it thoroughly before giving it to your child.

St John Ambulance has advice on what to do if your baby or child is choking.

Isobel Kearl from St John Ambulance, adds, ‘Don’t wait for an emergency situation before finding out what to do.

'Life saving first aid is so easy to learn and it can have an incredible impact.

'Being armed with this knowledge gives parents the confidence to take action quickly and ensures they are able to act if their child starts to choke.’ 

For the latest advice on choking and first aid courses, click here.