Each year, around 150 children tragically lose their lives in choking incidents. For parents, it’s heartbreaking to imagine this happening, especially in a place meant to be safe, like daycare. That’s why it’s so important to understand the most common choking hazards children face in these settings and how facilities can take steps to protect them.
In this article, we’ll walk through five everyday items that can cause children to choke at daycare, why they’re dangerous, and what daycares should be doing to keep kids safe.
1. Small Toys
Tiny toys, action figure pieces, and marbles may seem harmless at first glance, but they can easily slip into a child’s mouth and block their airway. The risk is so high that safety experts recommend the “toilet paper roll test”: if a toy can fit through a standard toilet paper roll, it’s too small for young children.
Daycares should enforce strict policies on toy size and regularly check classrooms for small items that could pose a danger.
2. Food Items
Certain foods are known choking hazards for children, including:
- Whole grapes
- Hot dogs
- Popcorn
- Nuts
Because of their shape and texture, these foods can easily obstruct a child’s airway. To minimize risk, daycares should avoid serving high-risk foods and cut items like grapes or hot dogs into small, bite-sized pieces. Staff should also be trained in safe food practices to ensure mealtime is as safe as possible.
3. Craft Supplies
Beads, buttons, googly eyes, and other small craft materials can quickly become dangerous if left unattended. Young children often explore by putting objects in their mouths, which increases the risk of choking.
Daycares can help prevent incidents by supervising arts and crafts closely, using larger and safer materials for young children, and checking classrooms regularly for loose items.
4. Stress Balls and Their Contents
Stress balls have grown in popularity in recent years, but they’re not always safe for children. Many are filled with small gel beads or liquid that can be hazardous if the ball breaks open.
In fact, our firm recently handled a case in which a child ingested an entire stress ball after receiving it at daycare. To prevent this kind of risk, daycares should avoid using stress balls with children or, at the very least, remove any that show signs of damage.
5. Hard Candies
Lollipops, jawbreakers, and other small, hard candies are particularly dangerous for kids. Their size and texture make them difficult to chew, and if swallowed whole, they can easily become lodged in the throat.
Daycares should avoid offering hard candies altogether or only allow them for older children under strict supervision.
Creating a Safer Daycare Environment
Choking incidents are preventable. By recognizing these hazards and taking proactive measures—like regular staff training, safe food preparation practices, and constant supervision—daycares can create safer spaces for children to learn and grow.
If your child has been hurt in a choking incident at daycare, The Button Law Firm is here to help. Call us at (214) 699-4409 or reach out through our website’s contact form to speak with our daycare injury team.
At The Button Law Firm, we’re committed to keeping families informed, supported, and moving forward.
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