March/April 2024 HAWAII PARENT 135 munching. Never let keiki run, play sports, or ride in the car while eating, chewing gum, or sucking on lollipops. For toys and other objects, always follow the manufacturers’ age recommendations, which are mandated by the Child Safety Protection Act passed by Congress in 1994, but also be aware that parents make the ultimate decision in determining whether a toy is safe. In addition, assure older children’s toys do not get picked up by the inquisitive younger child. BREATHING EASIER While your child is excitedly exploring new foods and learning with new toys, always take proper preventative actions to ensure his or her safety. And if an accident does occur, which we all know accidents do happen, quickly respond with back blows and abdominal thrusts. The Hawai‘i Red Cross encourages parents to take Life Saving skill trainings, such as Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR AED. Prevention and proper preparation for choking can cause you and your child to breathe easier. • Round, firm foods, such as hot dogs, grapes, and hard candies • Sticky foods, such as peanut butter, chewing gum, and gummy candies • Large foods that break easily into small pieces, such as teething biscuits and cookies • Chunked foods, such as fruit, raw vegetables, and meat or cheese • Small, round objects, such as coins, buttons, batteries, magnets, beads, and vitamins • Small metal or plastic items, such as toys jewelry, safety pins, pen or marker caps, and the pull tabs from soda cans • Plastic bags and deflated or broken balloons • Baby powder While avoiding these foods or objects, teach your child the lifelong lessons of sitting down, taking small bites, and not talking or laughing with full mouths – just like your parents may have taught you. For younger children, cut up foods into small, manageable bites. Also, cook vegetables instead of serving them raw for easier The Hawai‘i Red Cross encourages parents to take Life Saving skill trainings, such as Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR AED.
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