Death from Choking: What are the Statistics?
Choking is a leading cause of unintentional injury and death in the United States. It is estimated that there are over 5,000 choking-related deaths in the United States each year. Of these, approximately 3,400 are due to food-related choking.
Asphyxiation is a type of death that occurs when a person is incapable of breathing due to obstruction of the airways, usually by a foreign object. When a person is choking, the obstruction of the airway prevents oxygen from entering the lungs. This can lead to asphyxiation and, ultimately, death.
Choking is a particularly dangerous form of asphyxiation because it can occur in a matter of seconds and can be fatal. Choking is the fourth leading cause of unintentional injury death among children, and the majority of choking deaths occur in children under the age of 5.
Food-related choking is the most common type of choking death. Food-related choking deaths are most common among young children, with the highest rate of choking deaths occurring in children between the ages of 0 and 4. Common causes of food-related choking include the ingestion of small objects, such as coins, buttons, and toys, as well as the ingestion of large pieces of food that become stuck in the airway.
The most common types of food-related choking hazards are hot dogs, candy, nuts, and fruits or vegetables with seeds. It is important to be aware of choking hazards and to supervise children while they are eating.
Non-food-related choking is the second most common type of choking death. Non-food-related choking deaths are most commonly caused by inhalation of a foreign object, such as a toy or a piece of jewelry. Non-food-related choking deaths are most common among children between the ages of 1 and 4.
Choking prevention is an important part of keeping children safe. To prevent choking, it is important to supervise children while they are eating and to make sure that they are not playing with small objects that could be a choking hazard. It is also important to make sure that children are not eating large pieces of food that can become stuck in their airway.
Choking is a leading cause of unintentional injury and death in the United States. It is important to be aware of choking hazards and to take steps to prevent choking deaths. By taking the necessary precautions, parents and caregivers can help keep their children safe and reduce the risk of choking-related deaths.
