Choking Risks at Christmas: How to Keep Children and Adults Safe

Christmas is a time for joy, celebration, and plenty of delicious food. But with all the festive treats being passed around, it’s also a time when choking incidents become more common — especially for young children and older adults.

In this guide, we’ll highlight the most common Christmas choking hazards, simple steps you can take to prevent accidents, and what to do if someone does start choking. Being prepared could make all the difference.

Common Christmas Foods That Can Cause Choking

The festive season brings a variety of foods that pose a higher risk of choking. Here are the most frequent culprits:

1. Nuts and Snack Mixes

From bowls of peanuts to mixed nuts on the table, these are one of the biggest choking risks — particularly for young children and anyone with difficulty chewing.

2. Grapes and Cherry Tomatoes

These smooth, round foods are the perfect size to block an airway. Always cut grapes lengthways into quarters for children.

3. Hard Sweets and Boiled Sweets

Popular at Christmas, but extremely hazardous if inhaled accidentally.

4. Sausages, Pigs in Blankets, and Meat Chunks

Firm, chewy foods can become lodged if not chewed properly.

5. Raw Vegetables

Carrot sticks, celery, and other crunchy veg can be particularly risky for little ones.

6. Marshmallows

Soft but sticky — marshmallows can be surprisingly difficult to remove once stuck.

How to Prevent Choking at Christmas

A few simple precautions can reduce risks significantly:

Cut food into manageable pieces, especially for children.
Avoid giving nuts or hard sweets to young children.
Encourage slow, mindful eating, not rushing during excitement.
Ensure everyone sits while eating — no running around with food.
Be cautious with alcohol consumption, which can affect coordination and swallowing.
Supervise children closely during meals and snack times.

What to Do If Someone Starts Choking

Knowing how to respond quickly and confidently is essential.

If the person is coughing effectively

Encourage them to keep coughing.
Do not hit them on the back at this stage.

If the cough becomes ineffective

Take the following steps:

1. Deliver up to 5 Back Blows

Stand to the side and slightly behind the person.
Support their chest with one hand.
Give up to five firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.

2. Give up to 5 Abdominal Thrusts (Adults and Children Over 1 Year)

Stand behind the person and place a fist just above their belly button.
Grasp your fist with your other hand and pull sharply inwards and upwards.
Repeat up to five times.

If the blockage does not clear

Continue cycles of 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts.
Call 999 immediately if the person becomes unresponsive.
Begin CPR if needed.

Learn These Skills Properly – Take a First Aid Course

Practical training makes all the difference in an emergency.
ProTrainings offers a range of Paediatric and Adult First Aid courses, available online and face-to-face.

👉 Explore our first aid courses here:
www.protrainings.uk/courses

Whether you’re a parent, carer, teacher, or simply want peace of mind during the festive season, learning these essential skills is invaluable.

Be Prepared with the Right First Aid Equipment

Having the correct equipment at home can help you respond quickly to choking, minor injuries, burns, and other common Christmas accidents.

🛒 Browse professional first aid equipment at:

www.protrainings.uk/store
www.first-aid-online.co.uk

Stock up on essential items such as:

Family first aid kits
Paediatric first aid supplies
Airway management tools
Choking response trainers
Burns dressings and cold packs

Being prepared means you can act confidently when it matters most.

Final Thoughts

Christmas should be a time of fun and celebration — not emergency trips to A&E. With a few simple precautions and the right first aid knowledge, you can significantly reduce choking risks for both children and adults during the festive season.

If you’d like, I can also create a social media post to promote this blog or write more Christmas safety content for your readers.