Sixty percent of infant suffocation occurs in the sleeping environment. Infants can suffocate when their faces become wedged against or buried in a mattress, pillow, infant cushion or other soft bedding, or when someone in the same bed rolls onto them. Each year cribs are involved in more than 70 percent of all nursery product-related deaths among infants. Cribs are responsible for about 40 strangulation and suffocation deaths each year. Children are at risk from choking on small, round foods such as hot dogs, candies, nuts, grapes, carrots and popcorn.
Nonfood items tend to be round or conforming objects, such as coins, small balls and balloons.
Balloons are the most common cause of toy-related choking death among children ages 3 and under. Strangulation occurs among children when consumer products become wrapped around their necks. Common items include clothing drawstrings, ribbons or other decorations, necklaces, pacifier strings, and window and drapery cords. Children may strangle in openings that entrap their heads such as spaces in bunk beds, cribs, playground equipment, baby strollers, carriages and high chairs. The new standard will restrict opening sizes and require company identification and age-specific warning labels on all new bunk beds.