• Hot dogs, other meats, cheese, peanut butter, if not served in small pieces, bite-sized portions.


• Nuts, seeds, popcorn


• Raw vegetables, whole grapes, raisins


• Hard, gooey or sticky candy, chewing gum

• Don't let kids run, walk, play or lie down with foods in their mouths


• Cut food into pieces no larger than 1/2 in. (13mm); teach them to chew food well


• Don't let older children give younger ones dangerous foods or stuff food in their mouth


• Take a first aid course to learn how to respond to choking accidents
  

• If child is making odd noises or no sound while holding mouth open, call 911 immediately


• If child is coughing or gagging, let him or her keep coughing to dislodge blockage.

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics
Valley Morning Star 2-20-04