Choking is, without a doubt, a terrifying emergency, and it can happen quickly and quietly. While anyone can choke, the highest risk group is children under the age of 4. Their airways are smaller, their chewing skills are still developing, and children in this age range love to put objects in their mouths.
Understanding common choking hazards by age can help parents stay alert, choose safer foods and toys, and react confidently if an emergency happens. Continue to learn more about common risks, warning signs, prevention tips, and age-appropriate first aid responses for babies, toddlers, young kids, and older children.
Choking Hazards for Babies
Babies rely entirely on caregivers to make safe feeding and play choices. Until they are developmentally ready, babies do not have the oral motor skills to chew or move food safely.
Common Choking Hazards for Babies
- Whole grapes or grape halves with skin
- Hot dogs, sausage slices, or meat chunks
- Raw fruits and vegetables such as apples, carrots, or celery
- Nuts, seeds, popcorn, and pretzels
- Sticky foods like peanut butter
- Round candies or marshmallows
- Cheese cubes or chunks of bread
- Coins, buttons, beads, and small toy parts
Signs of Choking in Babies
A choking baby may:
- Cough weakly or silently
- Gag or struggle to breathe
- Turn red, blue, or pale
- Show panic or distress
- Be unable to cry or make sounds
If a baby is coughing strongly, allow them to try to clear the airway while you stay close. If breathing is blocked, immediate action is needed.
How to Help a Choking Baby (under 12 months)
If a baby cannot cry, cough, or breathe:
- Call 911 or have someone call while you begin care.
- Place the baby face-down along your forearm, supporting the head and neck.
- Give 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades.
- Turn the baby face-up.
- Give 5 chest thrusts (two fingers in the center of the chest).
Continue alternating back blows and chest thrusts until:
- The object comes out, or
- The baby begins to breathe or cry, or
- Emergency help arrives
If the baby becomes unconscious, begin CPR if trained. All caregivers are encouraged to complete an infant CPR and choking safety course. Recommendations on how to find safety courses can be found toward the bottom of this post.
How to Prevent Choking in Babies
- Offer soft, mashable foods only
- Avoid small, round, sticky, or firm foods
- Always feed a baby sitting upright
- Keep small objects and toys out of reach
- Follow age-appropriate feeding milestones
- Cut food into very small, soft pieces
- Never prop bottles or feed lying down
Choking Hazards for Toddlers
Toddlers are curious, mobile, and love to snack on the go, which increases choking risk. This is another high-risk age group when reviewing common choking hazards by age.
Common Choking Hazards for Toddlers
- Whole grapes or cherry tomatoes (not cut or cut into discs)
- Hot dog slices or meatballs
- Raw carrots or apple slices
- Popcorn, chips, and pretzels
- Nuts, seeds, trail mix
- Hard or chewy candy
- Marshmallows and gummy snacks
- Balloons and small toy pieces
Signs of Choking in Toddlers
Watch for:
- Inability to speak or cry
- Weak or silent coughing
- Hands to the throat
- Wheezing or gasping
- Blue or pale lips
- Panic or distress
How to Help a Choking Toddler
If the toddler cannot breathe, cry, or speak:
- Call 911 immediately (or have someone else call).
- Stand or kneel behind the child.
- Give 5 back blows between the shoulder blades.
- Follow with 5 abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver).
Repeat back blows and abdominal thrusts until the object is expelled or help arrives. If the child becomes unconscious, begin CPR if trained. Keep reading for guidance on finding training opportunities near you.
How to Prevent Choking in Toddlers
- Always supervise meals and snacks
- Have children sit while eating
- Cut grapes, hot dogs, and similar foods into very small pieces
- Avoid hard or sticky candies
- Keep toys with small parts out of reach
- Teach slow eating and chewing
- Avoid eating while running, walking, or playing
Choking Hazards for Young Kids (Preschool & Early Elementary)
By this stage, kids are better at chewing, but distractions such as: laughing, talking, or playing while eating, remain major contributors to choking incidents.
Common Choking Hazards for Young Kids
- Whole grapes or cherry tomatoes
- Hot dogs or large food chunks
- Hard candy, gum, or lollipops
- Popcorn, chips, and pretzels
- Large apple or carrot pieces
- String cheese bites
- Bottle caps and pen caps
- Craft beads, magnets, and LEGO-type pieces
Signs of Choking in Young Kids
- Trouble breathing or noisy breathing
- Weak cough or no sound
- Extreme panic or distress
- Blue or dusky skin tone
- Hands grabbing at neck
How to Help a Young Child that is Choking
If the child cannot breathe or speak:
- Call 911 immediately or send someone to call.
- Give back blows followed by abdominal thrusts.
- Continue alternating until the airway clears or help arrives.
If the child loses consciousness, begin CPR if trained. See bottom of post for training information.
How to Prevent Choking in Young Kids
- Encourage calm, seated mealtimes
- Remind kids to chew slowly and take small bites
- Avoid hard candy and gum during active play
- Review safe toy sizes and choking risks
- Teach siblings to keep small parts away from younger children
Choking in Older Kids and Adults
Choking remains possible at any age especially during fast eating, talking while eating, or consuming certain foods.
Common Choking Hazards in Older Kids and Adults
- Steak or large chunks of meat
- Hot dogs or sandwich chunks
- Grapes and raw vegetables
- Hard candy and gum
- Popcorn and nuts
- Bones in meat or fish
Signs of Choking in Older Kids and Adults
- Cannot talk, breathe, or cough
- High-pitched or silent breathing
- Universal choking sign (hands to throat)
- Panic or distress
- Skin turning blue or gray
How to Help an Older Child or Adult that is Choking
If the person cannot breathe or speak:
- Call 911 (or direct someone to call).
- Stand behind the person and perform abdominal thrusts.
- Repeat thrusts until the object is expelled.
If the person becomes unconscious, begin CPR if trained. See next section for more guidance on safety training.
How to Prevent Choking in Older Kids and Adults
- Take small bites and chew thoroughly
- Avoid talking or laughing with food in the mouth
- Sit upright while eating
- Avoid eating quickly or while distracted
CPR & Choking Response Training: Where to Learn More
While knowing the basics of choking first aid is incredibly important, nothing replaces hands-on CPR and choking response training. Formal training helps caregivers feel more confident, stay calmer in an emergency, and practice the exact maneuvers recommended for each age group.
Many classes are available in-person or online with an in-person skills check option. Families can find pediatric-focused CPR and choking response courses through:
- The American Red Cross
- Local hospitals or health systems
- Community education programs and recreation centers
- Certified private CPR instructors
Training and certification are especially recommended for:
- Parents and guardians
- Grandparents and extended family
- Babysitters and nannies
- Daycare providers and preschool staff
- Coaches and youth activity leaders
- Teachers and school staff
- Anyone who regularly cares for infants or children
Wrapping Up – Common Choking Hazards by Age
Understanding common choking hazards by age empowers parents and caregivers to create safer mealtime and play environments. While choking can happen suddenly, awareness, supervision, and age-appropriate food choices greatly reduce risk. Learning basic choking-response skills can make a lifesaving difference.
If you ever have concerns about your child’s feeding skills, swallowing, or choking risk, your pediatrician is always here to help and guide you.
Sources: Nemours, American Academy of Pediatrics, Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, The American Red Cross