FRESH warnings about “soft food” choking hazards faced by youngsters have sparked efforts to launch a poster campaign.

Choking and suffocation are among the leading causes of accidental death for children under three.

Members of Stockton’s Home Safety Association were shocked by recent high profile choking cases.

Officers told the panel at Stockton Town Hall how marshmallows and popcorn were “notorious” for causing choking problems.

Cllr Ted Strike, independent member for Ingleby Barwick east, said choking was a “real fear” of parents and grandparents.

Chairwoman Cllr Ann McCoy told the panel it could be a scary subject.

The cabinet member said: “A couple of weeks ago there was a kiddie who got a chicken nugget stuck in their throat.

“Sometimes, you don’t think of a soft thing – I am sure mothers and grandmothers worried about apples make sure they cut them up – but you wouldn’t think of something soft.”

Babies and toddlers are most at risk of choking as they tend to examine things around them by putting them in their mouths.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) says children under four should avoid peanuts, whole grapes, boiled sweets, hot dogs or chocolate eggs with small toys inside.

It also urges parents to never let children run with objects in their mouths or while they are eating.

Ashley Martin, public health adviser RoSPA, said: “Unfortunately, even if your child is confident with solid food, soft or small individual pieces can still be a choking hazard and items such as popcorn, mini marshmallows and blackberries are just the right size to block a small windpipe.

“RoSPA recommends quartering food of this nature including soft food in order to reduce the risk associated with choking.”

The home safety panel agreed a chart detailing risky choking foods would be drawn up to raise awareness of the dangers.

Stockton Council’s family hubs can offer basic first aid sessions lasting two hours which include dealing with falls, cuts and grazes, insect bites and stings, anaphylactic shock, asthma, fractures, choking and CPR.

More details can be found at www.stockton.gov.uk/children-and-young-people/family-hubs/