Dignity Health Sounds Alarm: Candy A Critical Choking Risk For Young Children on Halloween

SAN ANDREAS, CA (October 29, 2025) - As Halloween approaches, Dignity Health is issuing an urgent warning to parents and caregivers about the dangers of candy-related choking, especially for young children. Data reveals a stark reality: candy accounts for a staggering 28% of all choking-related hospital visits in children ages 1-4 years old. This critical statistic highlights candy as a leading and preventable cause of injury during a holiday synonymous with sweet treats.

Halloween is a time of excitement, but the abundance of diverse candies, many of which pose significant choking risks, demands heightened vigilance. Hard candies, sticky caramels, large gummies, and even small, round chocolates can easily block a young child's airway.

"We want every family to have a safe and happy Halloween, but we also feel compelled to shine a spotlight on a very serious, preventable danger," says Dr. Pardeep Athwal, Chief Medical Officer at Mark Twain Medical Center. "The fact that nearly one-third of all choking-related hospital visits for children between one and four years old are directly linked to candy is alarming. These are not just statistics; these are terrifying moments for families, often leading to severe distress or worse. As ER doctors, we regularly see the devastating consequences when basic safety precautions are overlooked."

To ensure a safe and healthy Halloween, Dignity Health strongly urges parents and guardians to follow these critical safety guidelines:

• Strict Age-Appropriate Candy Selection: Avoid giving hard candies, sticky and chewy candies (like caramels, taffy, full-size marshmallows), large lollipops, whole nuts, popcorn, and chewing gum to children under five.
• Maintain Constant Supervision: Never leave young children unattended while they are eating any food, especially candy.
• Proper Eating Environment: Insist that children sit down calmly to eat, rather than walking, running, or playing with candy in their mouths.
• Teach Chew-and-Swallow: Encourage older children to model good eating habits, thoroughly chewing food before swallowing.
• Learn Choking First Aid: Every parent, grandparent, and caregiver should know how to perform the Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts) and back blows, and consider getting certified in CPR. Time is critical in a choking emergency.
• Offer Safe Alternatives: For the youngest trick-or-treaters, consider providing non-food treats like stickers, glow sticks, small toys, or age-appropriate snacks (e.g., soft, easily dissolvable fruit pieces, crackers).
• Inspect All Treats: Discard any unwrapped, opened, or suspicious-looking candy.

"At Dignity Health, we aim to empower parents with the knowledge to make informed decisions this Halloween," adds Dr. Pardeep Athwal "A few simple precautions can make a world of difference in preventing a trip to the emergency room and ensuring children go home with happy memories, not a medical emergency."

Dignity Health is dedicated to safeguarding the health and well-being of our communities. We wish everyone a very happy and, most importantly, safe Halloween.

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About Mark Twain Medical Center

Founded in 1951, Mark Twain Medical Center is a 25-bed, critical access hospital providing inpatient acute care, outpatient services and emergency services; including Specialty Care Centers and four community Medical Centers. Our Medical Staff represents a broad range of specialties that ensure access to high quality medical care in a rural community.