Boy, 4, swallows bottle top chokes to death

Zim Now Writer

A four-year-old boy from Lion Park, Harare, died after he choked on a bottle top on Saturday.

\According to a ZRP statement, the boy choked on a bottle top which he mistakenly swallowed during child play. Police said:

“ZRP reports a sad incident which occurred in Lion Park, Harare on 09/03/24 in which a male juvenile aged four years died. The victim was allegedly choked with a bottle top, which he mistakenly swallowed during child play.”

Here are some important things to do when a child is choking

For children aged over one year, encourage the child to lean forward and give five firm back blows between the shoulder blades.

If the object still hasn’t dislodged, perform chest thrusts. Find the child’s breastbone (between and slightly below the nipples). Press down five times with enough pressure to press the chest down about one-third.

If the object still hasn’t dislodged, return-to-back blows and then repeat the chest thrusts.

If the child becomes unconscious at any point, start CPR immediately.

However, it is important to always seek professional medical advice in emergencies.