A heartbroken Perth dad has called for change after his 22-month-old son died from choking on a grape. Grapes are one of the most common choking hazards for children under the age of five, according to former paramedic Nikki Jurcutz.
Dad’s warning after son’s choking death
Little Zaire, also known as ZaZa was playing at the beach with his father, Brian Bwoga and some of his friends. Brian was watching his son happily playing on the water’s edge with another toddler.
Brian wasn’t aware that the other toddler had shared a grape with ZaZa.
“I was on the beach and we had just come in from swimming,” Bwoga said. “I was (watching him) like a hawk playing near the water. He was fine, and then he suddenly started choking.
“I come from a background of being a chef, so I’m always one of those parents who cut up everything.”
However, the grape that ZaZa was given wasn’t cut up and, sadly ZaZa choked on it. Brian immediately rushed to his son and tried to clear his airways while a friend called an ambulance. Tragically, ZaZa couldn’t be saved.
“It all happened so quickly. Literally, within five minutes, my son was dead,” Brian said. “He died in my arms.”
Choking Hazards Warning on Grapes
ZaZa’s choking death occurred in January 2024 and the tragedy sent Brian into a deep depression. He began researching choking deaths and was shocked to see how common they are.
In Australia, there are currently no labelling requirements relating to choking hazards.
Last week he started an online petition to ask authorities to make choking warning labels on packaged grapes and signage to be added to loose grapes.
Warning labels or a sign when purchasing grapes is a fairly simple thing. In regards to cost, a sign placed where shoppers can see when they select their grapes is a one-time expense that can last several years. It’s a priceless service if it saves a life.”Â
“He taught me to live your life to the fullest. He showed me so many things and that is what I miss about him. Life is short. It’s a cliche, but it’s true, it can be snatched out of you within minutes.
It scares me that other kids could pass away. For me, that is just unacceptable. I’m just asking for awareness and for ZaZa’s death not to be in vain.”
Paramedic Reveals the Most Common Choking Hazards in your Home
In 2021 there were 330 children under the age of five admitted to hospital for choking. Awareness and prevention of choking hazards are key.
Tiny Hearts Educator and former paramedic Nikki Jurcutz is a leading expert on choking hazards and her videos have helped dozens, if not hundreds, of parents who have witnessed their child choking. She recently put together the most common items that children choke on, including popular snacks, fruit, and household items.
Common Choking Hazards
- Coins
- Marbles and Bouncy Balls. In 2018 little Alby died after choking on a bouncy ball given to him in a lolly bag.
- Latex Balloons
- Grapes and Cherry Tomatoes
- Candy/Lollies
- Nuts
- Hot Dogs
In addition to the items above, Nikki has also encouraged parents to be careful with the following items.
- Popcorn
- Raw fruits and veggies
- Magnets and button batteries, which are not only choking hazards but also very harmful if ingested. See Button Battery safety.Â
Should kids avoid these items entirely?
Yes and no. Items such as button batteries – 100% yes avoid. Many common household items and children’s toys have button batteries and, while they may be contained, kids may be able to open the compartment. If you have button batteries in your home, keep them up high, locked and far away from curious kids.
Magnets and coins can also be incredibly dangerous and it’s best to keep these items out of reach from children too.
Latex balloons are a popular item for little ones but just be sure to dispose of deflated balloons once they are not in use. What about bouncy balls and marbles? I honestly would avoid letting my kids play with these items entirely but if your kids do play with them, make sure you are watching!
For the food items on the list, the most important thing is supervision and modification. Always supervise children when they are eating these high-risk items and cut up foods into smaller bits so they can’t choke on them. In terms of popcorn and nuts, Nikki advises that children under the age of 4 or 5 should avoid these foods.
Nikki also shared a photo of an x-ray of a child’s lung with a peanut lodged in the trachea – the tube that connects the voice box with the bronchi which sends air to the lungs. The nut is clearly obstructing the air and it’s quite a scary thing to think about, especially when you consider just how small a peanut is.
“This is not an easy image to look at, I know. But it is an important reminder about the reality of choking in children,” she wrote.Â
“Little ones don’t have their full set of teeth and a mature chew yet, which is why I’ve made it a rule for my own family “No whole nuts for a child under 5,” she shares.
The Royal Children’s Hospital also cites a few more common hazards around the house which can present a choking, suffocation or inhalation risk to infants and young children including needles, pins or safety pins, buttons, beads, the tops of ballpoint pens and polystyrene beads (found in stuffed toys and bean bags).
The Toilet Roll Test
Nikki also shares the toilet roll test which is a simple yet effective way to identify potential choking hazards in your home.
Take a standard empty roll of toilet paper to use as a gauge to determine. If the item could be a choking hazard. Place the item into the toilet roll. If it’s small enough to go through the toilet roll, then it could also fit into a child’s mouth and pose a choking hazard.
What to do if your child is chokingÂ
All parents and carers must know how to deal with a baby or child who is choking.
Choking Baby (aged 0-1)
- 5 back slaps.
- Up to 5 chest thrusts (jabbing motion). Check if anything comes out. If nothing has come out, call 000.
- Cycles of 5 back slaps and 5 chest thrusts.
Choking child (aged 1 – puberty)
- Encourage the child to cough.
- Â 5 back slaps between shoulder blades. Check if anything comes out and check the mouth.
- Up to 5 abdominal thrusts. Clenched fist between tummy and breastbone, with the other hand over the top. In an upwards motion. Check if anything comes out. If nothing has come out, call 000.
- Cycles of 5 back slaps and 5 abdominal thrusts.
- Refer to the hospital for any child or baby who has been choking and where abdominal manoeuvres have been used.Â
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