Choking Is a Real Risk at Daycare—And It’s Often Preventable
Young children are naturally curious and still learning how to safely eat and play, which makes choking a major safety concern—especially in daycares. Sadly, not all daycare centers take the precautions necessary to protect kids from choking hazards. The consequences can be devastating when they fail to supervise properly or ignore safety standards.
We’ve seen firsthand how preventable choking incidents at daycare have led to serious injuries. In this article, we’ll break down how these situations happen, what objects and foods are most dangerous, and how daycares can prevent choking injuries from happening in the first place.
How Choking Incidents Happen at Daycare
Many choking injuries occur because daycares fail to take basic safety precautions. Common causes include:
- Improperly prepared food: Foods like hot dogs, grapes, apples, and carrots need to be cut into very small, age-appropriate pieces. When they aren’t, choking becomes a major risk.
- Hazardous foods given to young children: Sticky or chewy foods—like peanut butter, raisins, or marshmallows—can be difficult for toddlers and infants to swallow.
- Unsafe feeding practices: Letting kids eat while lying down, walking, or playing can make it easier for food to lodge in their airways.
- Unsecured small objects: Curious toddlers can easily swallow everyday items like marbles, pen caps, and small rocks.
- Unsafe or broken toys: Toys that aren’t age-appropriate or that have small, detachable parts can lead to choking, especially when kids aren’t being properly supervised.
Common Objects That Can Cause Choking Injuries
In addition to food and toys, there are a number of small, everyday items that can become serious choking hazards if left within a child’s reach. These include:
- Button batteries, especially those that fall out of toys with unsecured battery compartments
- Balloons, particularly popped latex balloons that can block a child’s airway
- Arts and crafts materials, like beads, googly eyes, and buttons
- Bottle caps and soda can tabs
- Coins
Even brief access to these items can result in a life-threatening situation if a child puts one in their mouth.
How Daycares Can—and Must—Prevent Choking Incidents
Choking incidents are preventable when caregivers are properly trained and attentive. Licensed daycares have a responsibility to protect kids by:
- Cutting food into safe, age-appropriate portions
- Avoiding dangerous foods for infants and toddlers (e.g., no peanut butter for babies under one)
- Ensuring children are seated upright and supervised during meals
- Keeping all child-accessible areas clean and free of small objects
- Monitoring children closely during playtime and only allowing age-appropriate toys
- Training all staff in CPR and emergency response
When these standards aren’t followed, children can suffer from asphyxiation-related injuries, including brain damage or even death. Caregivers must always put safety first. When they don’t, they need to be held accountable.
What to Do If Your Child Chokes at Daycare
If your child suffered a choking injury at daycare, you have every right to seek answers and accountability. These incidents are terrifying, and the effects can be long-lasting, physically, emotionally, and financially.
At The Button Law Firm, we help families understand their legal options after serious daycare injuries. Whether your child experienced a choking incident due to a lack of supervision or unsafe conditions, we’re here to guide you through what comes next.
You can give us a call at (214) 699-4409 or email us at intake@buttonlawfirm.com. You can also reach out to us by filling out the contact form.
Not Ready to Talk Yet? Download Our Free 5-Step Guide
We understand that you might not yet be ready to speak with a lawyer. If you’re still gathering information or unsure what to do, start by downloading our free resource: 5 Steps to Take After a Daycare Injury.
It’s designed to help families like yours take the first steps toward healing and holding negligent daycares accountable.
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