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Paramedic reveals top choking hazards for young children

By Merryn Porter |

A paramedic has shared a list of the top choking hazards for young children and some of the everyday items might come as a surprise to parents.

The list was compiled by Nikki Jurcutz, who runs Tiny Hearts Education with her sister to educate parents and caregivers about childhood hazards and teach them first-aid.

The paramedic and mother was prompted to act after being called to jobs where she says children's lives could have been saved had their parents known what to do.

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These plastic clips used to hold bags of bread closed are a choking hazard. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

"I would often be called to jobs where, had parents been confident with simple first-aid, the outcome could have been very different," Ms Jurcutz explains on the Tiny Hearts Education website.

"Kids could have been treated at home by their parents or, even more devastatingly, lives could have been saved."

In a recent Instagram post she named a humble piece of plastic, known as a bread clip, which is used to close off bags containing bread, as one of the choking hazards you might not expect.

But it was marshmallows that was in the top spot.

Marshmallows are a choking hazard to young children. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

"These sticky treats are a huge choking risk, which is tricky, because they're often served with babycinos," the post said, with people urged to avoid serving these to children until they are at least three years old.

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Next was popcorn, which is a no-no for children under five, followed by lollipops, which are best avoided until a child has turned three.

Popcorn should not be consumed by children until they are five. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Grapes and cherry tomatoes are next on the list, with grapes the "perfect size to block an airway". She said they should be cut into quarters for younger children and halves as they get older.

Nuts are also a choking hazard, with half a nut able to block a child's airway. She says whole nuts should be avoided until children are at least five.

Sausages and hotdogs are next on the list if chopped in the usual "coin-like shapes, which can easily block airways". She urged chopping them length-ways instead.

Chunks of meat are also on the list, as are watermelon cubes, which should be cut length-ways instead.

Watermelon cut into cubes like this should be avoided. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Chewing gum and gumballs should not be given to under fives, while raw carrot and raw apple should be avoided in favour of serving it peeled and grated, steamed, blended or chopped.

Whole blueberries should be halved or quartered while M&Ms, especially those with nuts, are hard to chew so should be avoided completely.

The post also shared a long list of everyday household items and toys which pose a choking danger to young children.

This included the clips used to close off loaves of bread, coins, magnets, button batteries, bottle caps, LEGO pieces, Barbie dolls and accessories, jewellery, large dog food pellets, bitten dummies and bottle teats, bobby pins and hair clips, bolts and screws, plastic power point covers, bouncy balls, balloons and even leaves and rocks from the garden.

Ms Jurcutz and her sister created a baby first-aid course to help parents and caregivers act in a first-aid emergency.

They have since developed more courses and products to keep children safe.

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