Health Tip: Keep Kids From Choking Hazards

(HealthDay News) -- Choking hazards for small children abound, from food to toys.

The Nemours Foundation mentions these safety precautions to help reduce youngsters' risk of choking:

• Don't give small children foods such as whole grapes or hot dogs, nuts, raw carrots, popcorn, spoonfuls of peanut butter or candies that are hard or chewy.

• Carefully cut children's food into small bites.

• Keep small toys and household items -- including deflated balloons, coins, beads and batteries -- away from young children.

• Offer your child only age-appropriate toys.

• Inspect toys to make sure they don't have small parts that can break off.