Cardiologist Jorge Tartaglione urged parents to watch children closely while they eat and keep small objects out of reach. Current first-aid guidance distinguishes between choking responses for infants and older children.
Among the foods the doctor identified as dangerous for young children were whole grapes, sausages, nuts and hard candy. He also cited batteries, balloons and small toys. Tartaglione said the risk was higher for children under 13. Caregivers should supervise children during meals, have them sit down to eat and cut food into small pieces.
Tartaglione said a child who is still coughing should be allowed to cough. For severe airway obstruction, 2025 guidance from the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends alternating five back blows with five abdominal thrusts for children. For infants, it recommends five back blows followed by five chest thrusts. The procedures differ by age, so emergency medical services should be called and the official first-aid guidance followed.