This week a friend brought the Eric Stavros Alder article to my attention. This is the story of a healthy, happy, fun-loving four-year-old boy that is until February 27, 2001. On that day Eric choked on a hot dog and died within six minutes.

An unimaginable nightmare for a parent. As I sit here at my computer I’m looking at a photograph of my son, now fourteen. I can’t imagine how I’d go forward if it happened to me. His mother wants to help Americans understand that food asphyxiation is not a freak accident. It is the fourth-leading cause of death in children under the age of five. During the course of the work week, at least one child will die after choking on common foods such as hot dogs, peanuts, grapes, and popcorn. These foods are very effective at cutting off a young child’s oxygen supply.

In 2003 she noted that there are no universal warnings of the risks presented by the foods mentioned above. She also knew that clear and simple labeling standards for food manufacturers..along the lines of the standards already in place for toy manufactures  can prevent many of the horrible deaths such as the one suffered by Eric and dozens of other children every year.

Nine years after her son’s death some food makers including Oscar Mayer have warning labels about choking but not nearly enough says Joan Stavros Adler, Eric’s mom.

The American Academy of Pediatrics agrees. They are calling for sweeping changes in the way food is designed and labeled to minimize children’s chances for choking.

Dr. Gary Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research & Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio is lead author of a new policy report from the Pediatrics academy that seeks to make choking prevention a priority for government and food makers. The report was released Monday in the journal Pediatrics.

Will warning labels on foods reduce the risk for choking in young children? I sure hope so. The American Academy also urges all parents to be prepared for emergencies and get CPR training. Because, sometimes despite our best precautions accidents do happen.

My hope today is that no other parent has to endure the unbearable pain that Eric’s mother lives with every day. Please pass the message to anyone you know taking care of young children, be constantly vigilant and prepared.

Don’t just take a CPR class…review review review.

All parents should take a CPR class and know what to do in an emergency situation. There are only minutes to spare. In an emergency parents need to stay very calm and act. You will act if you know what to do. You will know what to do if you take an infant and child CPR class. It is not enough to take the training and forget about it. Most of us will not retain the information. Afterwards you need to practice and go over what you learned. Create scenarios, act it out. Imagine what you would do in every imaginable emergency situation. Knowledge is power.

 This is a question I get a lot at my CPR classes when I talk about safe sleeping for babies. Babies should  sleep on their back. This is a SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) precaution.

  Parents worry that their baby will choke on fluids or mucus. Despite their fears an episode of choking on fluids or mucus is not life- threatening. Babies have the ability to gag, cough, splutter and cry. It is also much safer for them to do this in the back- lying position.

 Babies should be put to sleep on their back. This is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. SIDS happens twice as often to babies put to sleep on their stomach. Give your little one lots of tummy time when awake.

 As always, know what steps to take in an emergency. It’s a new year. Book that long overdue CPR class.

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In response to the November 9^th recall on over 1 million Maclaren umbrella strollers* due to a faulty hinge, we think it is important to review Stroller Safety Guidelines:

Stroller devices:

·         Remember to use the stroller seat belt at all times.

·         Watch your child’s fingers to avoid pinching when folding or unfolding your stroller.

·         To prevent accidental folding of the stroller always use the locking device.

·         Completely open and lock your stroller into position before putting your child in.

·         Test the safety of the stroller by first pushing down hard on the seat with your hand.

Tipping:

·         To prevent tipping, choose a stroller that has a wide base.

·         With reclining strollers, check to ensure the child does not fall over backwards when reclined.

·         Purses and bags should not be hung on the handles of a stroller, utilize the basket instead.

Brakes/Straps:

·         Always use the brakes when stopped to prevent the stroller from rolling away.

·         In a parking lot, ensure the stroller is locked and next to you when unlocking the car (put the child into their car seat before storing the stroller)

·         Before you cross the street, position and lock the stroller completely out of the street and make sure you are safely on the curb.

·         If you are using a jogging stroller make sure you use the safety strap that fits around your wrist. This can help prevent the stroller from getting away from you.

In general, keep your eyes on your child at all times to ensure they are safe and secure in their stroller. And, as always, know what to do in an emergency.

*Affected models include: Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, Techno XLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.