A mother’s warning about the risks of choking in children

Every parent knows that small details of toys, nuts, coins and magnets are frequent dangers that can cause suffocation in children. But it might surprise you to learn that fruits and vegetables can be just as dangerous. Blogger and mom Angela Henderson shared an X-ray showing a child’s throat with a grape attached, to draw parents’ attention to the hidden dangers of choking.

At the awesome.club we found out why it’s important to always cut grapes, cherry tomatoes, vegetables and similar fruits and we want you to know why too.

Angela Henderson, an Australian doctor, blogger and mother of two, warned parents about the dangers of asphyxiation by sharing an X-ray of a five-year-old child. The photo shows a round object stuck in a child’s throat. Angela described the event:

“Do you know what this x-ray is about? From a grape that got stuck in the upper respiratory tract of a five-year-old today. This little one had to be operated on under general anesthesia to remove the fruit. He was VERY lucky to have part of his airway open or otherwise this could have ended badly.”🇧🇷

Although few are aware of this potential danger, grapes are one of the most common causes of food-related choking. The shape and size of whole grapes make them ideal for getting stuck in a child’s throat, causing obstruction of the respiratory tract. Worst of all, the smooth and flexible surface of this fruit makes it difficult to handle when it is in this location. As a result, trapped grapes often need to be surgically removed.

According to the New York State Department of Health, asphyxiation is the fourth leading cause of involuntary death in children under five years of age. In the US at least one child dies from choking on food every five days. Fortunately, injuries and deaths from choking can be prevented if parents and other family members, school personnel and the wider community are more aware of the obvious and hidden dangers.

Doctors and child safety organizations urge food manufacturers and retailers to label certain foods as potentially dangerous. “A simple warning that tells parents to cut food into smaller pieces or stop serving certain products to young children can save many children’s lives,” says Bruce Silverglade, director of legal affairs at the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), from the USA.

Grapes are not the only food product that can cause choking in children. Cherry tomatoes, cranberries and other berries, as well as firm, grape-sized vegetables are also dangerous. remember that all these foods must be cut lengthwise, otherwise they will still be big enough to get stuck in a child’s throat. If you are not sure that halved foods are the right size and safe for your child, cut them into quarters.

Did you know that whole grapes could be just as dangerous for children? Can you think of other dangerous items for them? Tell us in the comments!