Safety Tips Intended To Prevent Choking Hazards

Safety Tips Intended To Prevent Choking Hazards

Choking is a serious concern as a growing number of people across the country experience serious injury and even loss of life due to a variety of choking situations. Fortunately, there are some simple behaviors that can be implemented as a way to prevent the chances of choking. There are many common foods that are frequently associated with choking that everyone should be aware of as a way to avoid a choking hazard.

Chew Food More Completely

For example, large chunks of fruit as well as cakes and cookies and even peanut butter have been largely responsible for causing choking in adults. Perhaps one of the best ways to reduce the chances of choking is to simply chew food in a slow and methodical manner. Taking time to chew food more completely can greatly reduce the chances of choking. Equally important is to avoid talking or laughing while eating. This type of activity has been shown over the years to cause choking at the most unexpected moment.

Advanced Indications

Another concern that often goes overlooked as a way to avoid choking is to refrain from drinking an excess amount of alcohol prior to or during a meal. Common signs that an individual may be choking include a sudden inability to talk, coughing, gagging or wheezing. In addition when an individual clutches their throat or begins pointing to their throat in a frantic manner this is usually a sign that choking may be happening. Advanced indications that choking is indeed occurring include loss of consciousness or when the lips and skin begin to turn blue.

Life Saving Strategies

Any time choking is encountered it is important to call for medical assistance as quickly as possible. Typically speaking, the best approach is to contact 911 without delay. There are several types of abdominal thrusts that can be used in order to clear the airway of someone that is choking. As a note of caution these types of procedures should only be done if an individual is thoroughly familiar with the techniques. Those who are not familiar with these life saving strategies should simply enlist the services of a trained individual. Those who may be alone and experience a choking event should simply call 911 and leave the phone off the hook if they are unable to speak. Contact Hastings & Hastings, a Phoenix personal injury attorney with years of experience if you have been injured.