Preventing Preventing Airway ObstructionsAirway Obstructions

WHAMWHAM

WWhat risks are observed on scene?hat risks are observed on scene?

HHow can we keep from coming back?ow can we keep from coming back?

AAction to take to prevent future ction to take to prevent future injuriesinjuries

MMaterials to leave behind aterials to leave behind

WHAMWHAM

Airway ObstructionsAirway Obstructions Airway obstructions include accidental Airway obstructions include accidental

choking, strangulation and suffocation choking, strangulation and suffocation

Children under 3 are most at risk Children under 3 are most at risk

Food is the most common cause of chokingFood is the most common cause of choking

Since 1990, 200+ infants and young children Since 1990, 200+ infants and young children have been strangled to death by window have been strangled to death by window cords in the UScords in the US

WWhat risks are observed on hat risks are observed on scene?scene?

Your patient is a 15-month- old baby boy. Your patient is a 15-month- old baby boy. He choked on a button he found on the He choked on a button he found on the floor, prompting his parents to make a floor, prompting his parents to make a frantic call to 9-1-1. When you arrive, he frantic call to 9-1-1. When you arrive, he is alert and crying in his mother’s arms. is alert and crying in his mother’s arms. The tearful mother tells you that she The tearful mother tells you that she expelled the button with back slaps.expelled the button with back slaps.

HHow can we keep from ow can we keep from coming back?coming back?

AAction to takection to taketo prevent further injuriesto prevent further injuries

Encourage parents to inspect child’s play area Encourage parents to inspect child’s play area by getting on the floor at the child’s eye levelby getting on the floor at the child’s eye level

Show parent how toilet tissue roll can be used Show parent how toilet tissue roll can be used as a “small parts tester” as a “small parts tester” (anything small enough to fit in (anything small enough to fit in the roll is too small for toddlers)the roll is too small for toddlers)

Recommend parents take First Aid/CPR classRecommend parents take First Aid/CPR class

Remind parents of other common hazards:Remind parents of other common hazards:

• Food, window blind cords, recalled toys (Refer to www.recalls.gov)

MMaterials to leave behindaterials to leave behind

Utilize WHAM folder on rig Utilize WHAM folder on rig

Provide Safe Kids brochure Provide Safe Kids brochure “Prevent Choking”“Prevent Choking”

List of your department’s CPR List of your department’s CPR classes (if available)classes (if available)

Further info on Preventing Further info on Preventing Airway ObstructionsAirway Obstructions

Links:Links:

www.recalls.govwww.recalls.gov (recalled consumer products, (recalled consumer products, including items such as toys or cribs that do not including items such as toys or cribs that do not meet choking prevention or head entrapment meet choking prevention or head entrapment standards)standards)

http://www.windowcoverings.orghttp://www.windowcoverings.org (Window (Window Covering Council with info on retrofitting window Covering Council with info on retrofitting window blinds purchased before 2001)blinds purchased before 2001)

WHAM developed by:WHAM developed by: Central Pierce Fire & RescueCentral Pierce Fire & Rescue

City of DuPont Fire DepartmentCity of DuPont Fire DepartmentGig Harbor Fire & Medic OneGig Harbor Fire & Medic One

Safe Kids Pierce CountySafe Kids Pierce CountyTacoma-Pierce County Health Dept.Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept.

With funding from:With funding from:West Region EMS & Trauma West Region EMS & Trauma

Care CouncilCare Council