14/10/2026
The Child Accident Prevention Trust promotes three simple rules that dramatically reduce choking risk. They're easy to remember and implement across your setting:
STAY👥:
Stay with children when they're eating. This is the single most important thing you can do. Choking is silent – a child whose airway is blocked cannot cough, cry, or call for help. Visual supervision means you can spot problems immediately and intervene.
STILL 🪑:
Get children to sit still whilst eating. Moving, running, walking, or lying down whilst eating significantly increases choking risk. Children can more easily inhale food if they're active, distracted, or not sitting upright.
SUPERVISE 👀:
Children must be closely observed and listened to whilst eating and drinking. The EYFS 2025 framework now requires that supervising staff face children during mealtimes, allowing them to react quickly in cases of choking or allergic reactions.
👉 Read our full article for more on preventing choking hazards in your setting: https://www.mortonmichel.com/news/preventing-choking-hazards-in-your-setting?utm_source=article&utm_medium=socials
