Knacki, candies, grapes… some foods seem to be just fine for kids, yet they pose a deadly threat when ingested the wrong way. What are they, and how do you protect the little ones? Explanations.
This Monday, June 20, a new hearing will be held before the Dax Criminal Court, following the death of Lilian at the age of 2 years and 11 months, suffocated by a Knacki sausage in August 2014. The Herta company is sued by Florence and Vincent Lerbeyfor “manslaughter by manifestly deliberate violation of an obligation of safety or prudence” laid down by the Consumer Code. The Herta brand had already been condemned by the Paris Court of Appeal to pay significant compensation to a Lyon family whose little girl had choked on one of their flagship product, the Knacki Balls, in 2012 when she was only three years old.
With the return of the sun, we see the great return of festive aperitifs… This is why it is important to remind parents that extreme vigilance is required when certain foods are within the reach of children. Mainly due to small, sticky, hard, or round foods that can easily obstruct their airways. The danger is all the greater as these small foods may seem harmless to parents given their size. However, they absolutely require special preparation (often cut-outs), otherwise they can be fatal.
5 foods likely to cause a false route, to be ingested with caution
- Candy, especially hard candy, can be very dangerous.
The hard candy texture is hard for young teeth to chew. Smooth surfaces and rounded shapes can send the candy down the throat before the child realizes it. Sweets should therefore be taken under the supervision of an adult. Also be careful not to consume them while running.
- Small round fruits such as grapes, cherries or cherry tomatoes are to be enjoyed piece by piece.
In the summer season, these fruits invade our plates. Yet they are among the most “dangerous” ingredients in terms of the risk of choking. According to British doctors, whole grapes represent the third most common cause of choking in children, after hot dogs and sweets. For the researchers, the size of the grapes can obstruct the airways of the child. In addition, the soft and smooth surface of this fruit blocks the airways and the kernel is very difficult to extract. Raw fruits and vegetables should be cut into small pieces. Also be careful with olives, which are difficult for a young child to chew.
These round sausages that are served as an appetizer can be deadly if children do not chew them properly. See to cut them in half or even quarters, and to watch that your child swallows them well. For classic sausages, also cut them into small pieces and especially lengthwise.
- Nuts such as walnuts and hazelnuts should be limited in children under three years of age.
Difficult to cut and chew, the risk is that the children swallow them all at once. Subsequently, they can block the airways causing partial or complete choking. Also watch out for pretzels and crackers.
- Hard cheeses can also be the cause of false routes.
In small cubes, they are attractive and may seem harmless to the little ones. However, they should be consumed with caution. by cutting them into very small pieces beforehand.
Because the risks of wrong way in the child during the meal are important, take care that your child always eats under your supervision or that of another adult, and that dangerous foods are kept out of reach. Moreover, it is important that he eats sitting at the table and especially not while walking or running.
What should I do if my child takes a wrong turn?
If your child is eating and shows signs of choking, you don’t necessarily have to physically intervene, on the contrary. If he has an effective cough, i.e. he manages to cough and catch his breath, do not intervene, you risk lowering the foreign body and move from an incomplete obstruction to a complete obstruction. In a sitting or standing position, instead, encourage him to cough until the foreign body is expelled.
In contrast, if he can’t make a sound or cough, he’s choking and we must react as soon as possible. Your first instinct should be to contact the emergency room at 15. Then, begin the maneuvers to clear the airways. Lean the child forward and give him 1 to 5 pats on the back, between the shoulder blades. If the object is dislodged, the child catches his breath and coughs, there is no need to give him more pats on the back. In case of failure, it is necessary to move on to abdominal compressions, also called “the Heimlich manoeuvre”. Stand behind him and wrap your arms around his abdomen, one fist horizontal, between his navel and the lower end of his sternum. Make 1 to 5 abdominal thrusts going upwards. If this is ineffective, alternate back blows and abdominal thrusts again until help arrives.
Every day, Lina strives to transcribe with the greatest accuracy and relevance possible the news of families, and to inform them about their health and their rights. Curious and…