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Suffocation Hazards for Children

Choking, strangulation and suffocation are common causes of injury to children under six. However, precautions can be taken to help prevent these types of injuries from occurring.

Blind Cord Safety

Blind and curtain cords pose a significant strangulation risk to children. It is important that parents and care givers educate themselves to prevent such a tragedy from occurring in their home.

For information on blind and cord safety, see:

• Is Your Child Safe?- Blind and Curtain Cords; and
• Blind and Curtain Cords.

Clothing and Products for Children

Clothing with drawstrings are not safe for children to wear. These drawstrings can get caught on items, such as playground equipment, and may strangle a child. Similarly, the use of items such as winter scarves should also be avoided.

Although wearing a helmet is recommended while participating in wheeled activities, it is only intended to be worn while using wheeled equipment. Wearing helmets at other times can pose a danger as they can get caught on equipment and cause strangulation.

There are many products on the market for children but, when using these products, children still require adult supervision. Parents and care givers need to be aware of the potential safety concerns associated with children's products in order to prevent injuries from occurring.

For more information, see:

• Injuries (See baby safety);
• Is Your Child Safe?;
• Balloons;
• Baby Bottle Nipples;
• Cribs and Cradles;
• Drawstrings ;
• Home Safety Tips;
• Pacifiers;
• Playpens;
• Safe, Healthy Environments; and
• Toy Safety Tips.

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Food Safety

Ensuring that your child receives the proper nutrition for growth and development is important to parents. As a child grows, portions and types of food change.

As a parent or care giver, be sure to educate yourself to keep your children healthy and injury free. For more information, see:

• Home Safety Tips - Prevent Choking and Strangulation; and
• Feeding Your Baby.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the unexpected and unexplained death of apparently healthy infants.

It is important for parents and care givers to be aware of this syndrome and its risk factors. For information, please see:

Some of the following hyperlinks are to sites of organizations or other entities that are not subject to the Official Languages Act. The material found there is therefore in the language(s) used by the sites in question.

• SIDS Information;
• SIDS;
• Is Your Child Safe - Safe Sleep; and
• Information About SIDS.