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CHOKING

Young children like to explore. Keep in mind that small objects, including food and toys, can become lodged in a child's throat and block breathing.

For the safety of your child, always follow these precautions:

DO NOT FEED a child younger than 4 years any of these foods:
• nuts (including peanuts, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, etc.)
• sunflower or pumpkin seeds
• watermelon with seeds
• Goldfish crackers
• grapes
• cherries
• gummy bears
• raw carrots
• raw peas
• raw celery
• popcorn
• hard candy
• cheese cubes
• hot dogs and other sausages

Keep these objects OUT OF YOUR CHILD’S REACH:

• coins
• buttons
• batteries
• pencils
• erasers
• toys purchased at vending machines (may also contain lead)
• caps
• string
• crayons

Never give a latex balloon to a child younger than 8 years. The child may bite it and then choke on the pieces.

Clean the floor carefully. Food that has been dropped or loose parts from an older child’s game, for example, are tempting—but dangerous—for a young child.

Do not allow children to run and play with hard candy (especially suckers) in their mouths.

Do not allow children to eat in the car.

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