There's danger lurking at the next backyard BBQ you take your young children to: HOT DOGS! The American Academy of Pediatrics is drawing fire from media outlets and bloggers alike after declaring hot dogs, a classic American food and staple of children everyone, a dangerous choking hazard.
Let's face it, this is nothing new. Any well informed parent knows that hot dogs, with their perfect round shape, can be a choking hazard if gobbled quickly by small children. We've been told over and over to cut up hot dogs and other round foods (like grapes and carrots) into small bite sized pieces. We've been warned of the dangers of popcorn and hard candies.
In fact, some take the warnings to far: elementary students in the Rockwood School District, children well over the age of worry, have been told that suckers and hard candies because of they are choking hazards.
Hot dogs do, in fact, pose a serious risk to children under 4 years old.
“If you were to design the perfect plug for a child’s airway, you couldn’t do much better than a hot dog,” said Dr. Gary Smith, author of the AAP policy and also a Professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. “It will wedge itself in tightly and completely block the airway, causing the child to die within minutes because of lack of oxygen."
The AAP has taken their warnings to the next level by recommending that manufacturers change the shape of hot dogs. Yes. Change their shape.
But isn't it more practical to keep doing what we've been doing: cutting up food into manageable pieces for children? After all, who wants to eat a triangular hot dog?
For practical advice on how to handle choking hazards for your young children, please check out St. Louis Children's Hospital web site with lots of helpful advice on how to avoid choking hazards.
Comments
This is so true. Not only children though, also adults that are losing their ability to be as in control of their own bodies are at risk. My father has had a very serious stroke. Leaving him unable to do anything for himself but put food in his mouth. So he enjoys eating and at times he craves hot dogs. We could tell him that he can't have one, but he has lost so much of his dignity as it is. So, when ever we can we let him have what he wants. Hot dogs make us very nervous and we are glad when he goes for a few weeks without thinking about them. Great article!
Nice info!
I'm seeing the writing on the wall. Time to move to another country. Everyone here is a moron.
Good article!
Yes yes yes - This needs to be said! Thanks for the article!
Are you really serious? Your going to change the shape of a hot dog becase parents can't take the responsibility and cut up their childrens food. Well then maybe we should change the shape of cherrio's are those not a chocking hazard. Really!!!! Aren't there more things to worry about then the shape of a hot dog.
You have got to be kidding me... am I being punked? Or has this country completely lost its marbles? Hey maybe they should redesign marbles.
I saw this on the news and was amazed. Next we will hear about a government grant of millions of dollars to research the best shape for the Tube Steak, as my dh calls them.
um, you guys spelled too wrong.
I doubt anyone will change the shape...but parents always need to be careful :)
I still slice them in half the long way... old habits die hard!
Not a big hot dog fan... so no worries at my house!!! ;)
Hot dogs are the new hazard to children, eh? You know what else is a hazard to children? EVERYTHING.
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