There are thousands of accidental choking deaths in this country each year, and most of them are children under the age of 3. An infant's throat is so tiny that seemingly harmless little toys, foods, and everyday household items can block the airways if swallowed. To help you do everything possible to prevent an accident in your home, here are some tips from Medem.com and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

• Inspect your child's toys often to make sure they are unbreakable and will not come apart.
• Be cautious with balloons.
• Put away small objects and knickknacks.
• Don't allow young children to play with toys designed for older children. Teach older children to put their toys away as soon as they finish playing so young siblings can't get them.
• Don't let your small child play on bean bag chairs made with small foam pellets. If the bag opens or rips, the child could inhale these tiny pieces.
• If you're a parent, grandparent, or other caregiver, learn how to help a choking child and how to perform CPR.

Toy Shopping
As you shop for toys, take a look at the age range on the label. Let that be a guide to help you find toys that are suitable for your child's age, abilities, and skills. A simple rule of thumb is to choose toys that don't have small parts that can be chewed or broken off. And remember to promptly discard plastic wrappings found on the package.

Recalled Toys
A handy reference for parents is the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission's Web site, www.cpsc.gov, where you can view lists of the hundreds and hundreds of toys and other products that have been recalled and why. By looking at some of the product photos and reading about the hazards, you can begin to educate yourself about what to watch for and how to keep safety in mind when shopping.