I’m a first aider – here’s the Easter eggs you should never buy for your children and the safest
For most children, chocolate eggs are the best thing about Easter.
You might not think twice about getting your tot the chocolatey treat for the holidays.
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But beware — there are some types of Easter eggs that could be dangerous for your child, an expert has warned.
According to Australian paramedic and first responder Nikki Jurcutz, you should think twice about the size of the ice cream you buy.
Nikki, the expert behind parenting Instagram page Tiny Hearts Education, explained that eating mini Easter eggs could choke your child.
Because they are “hard and round – two massive risk factors for suffocation,” warned the first responder.
She unwrapped a mini chocolate egg and rolled it over, squeezing it firmly with her thumb to show how firm it was.
“They’re also the perfect shape and size for blocking a child’s airway,” Nikki added.
She demonstrated this by using a small plastic tube to mimic a child’s windpipe – the small, round egg fitted perfectly on top, completely blocking the opening.
Nikki recommended that parents swap out mini eggs for larger, hollow eggs instead.
They crumble easily, she wrote, breaking it in her hands.
And they’re “safer for your child to eat this Easter” because – if your child accidentally swallows a piece – it won’t block their airway.
Nikki showed that a small piece of chocolate from a hollowed-out egg didn’t sit on top of the pipe’s opening in the same way.
Moral of the story – as cute as mini Easter eggs are, swap them out for hollow ones to minimize the choking hazard for your child.
Signs your child is choking
There are a few signs to look out for to determine if your child is choking.
According to St. John Ambulance, they can:
- have difficulty breathing, speaking or coughing
- have a red swollen face
- Show signs of stress and they may point at their throats or grab their necks
In a baby, the signs that choking may be present are slightly different.
A choking baby can:
- not being able to breathe, cry, or cough
- have a red swollen face
- show signs of distress
Babies and toddlers are always at risk of choking because their airways are smaller and they haven’t mastered chewing and swallowing properly, first responders say.
They recommended that you always supervise your baby or toddler while they are eating to make sure they are chewing and swallowing properly.
Nikki has previously described other foods that pose a choking hazard to children, including:
- nuts
- sausages and hot dogs
- Popcorn
- Marshmallows
- big fruit
In a separate video, she warned parents never to cut hot dogs into coin shapes when feeding them to their kids.
What to do if your child chokes
It is a parent’s worst nightmare to imagine a situation where they have to save their child from choking.
But at this moment you may need to provide first aid.
The NHS says if you can see an object in your child’s mouth be sure to remove it – because blind picking could make the situation worse.
If the child coughs, encourage them to keep going as they may be able to bring the item up. don’t leave her
If the cough doesn’t work (if it’s quiet or he can’t breathe properly), call for help right away.
If the child is still conscious, apply back blows.
St. John Ambulance first responders provide the following advice based on the child’s age.
infant
- knock it out:
- Place the baby face down on your thigh and support his head and neck
- Give five back punches between your shoulder blades with the heel of your hand
- Turn her over and check her mouth each time
2. Express it:
- Turn the baby over, face up, supported on your thighs, making sure the head and neck are still supported
- Place two fingers in the center of her chest just below the nipple line; Press down to perform up to five sharp chest thrusts
- Check your mouth every time
3. If the item does not detach, call 999 or 112 for emergency assistance
- Take the baby with you when you call
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 until help arrives
- Start CPR if baby is unresponsive (unconscious)
child
1. Cough it up
- Encourage the sufferer to keep coughing if they can
2. Knock it out
- Lean them forward and support them with one hand
- Give five strong back punches between the shoulder blades
- Check his mouth each time, but don’t put your fingers in his mouth
3. Express it
- Stand behind her with your arms around her waist, with a clenched fist between her belly button and the bottom of her chest
- With the other hand, grasp the fist and vigorously pull in and up, performing up to five abdominal thrusts
- Check her mouth every time
4. Call 999 or 112 for emergency assistance if the object does not detach
Repeat steps 2 and 3 until help arrives, beginning CPR if the person is unresponsive (unconscious).
Always call 999 in an emergency. If you are unsure how to administer CPR to a child or baby, the St. John Ambulance is available to help.
https://www.the-sun.com/health/7674188/first-aider-easter-eggs-never-buy-children/ I’m a first aider – here’s the Easter eggs you should never buy for your children and the safest