Shocking image reveals the devastating reality of choking after death of 3-year-old

A PARAMEDIC has issued a stark warning to parents about the dangers of choking in young children by sharing a disturbing image.

The picture, posted to Instagram by first aid organisation , shows half a peanut lodged in a three-year-old's throat.

The nut appears to be stuck in the infants windpipe - the tube that connects the voice box to the lungs - which resulted in their death.

Tiny Hearts founder and paramedic Nikki Jurcutz said:  "This is not an easy image to look at, I know.

"But it is an important reminder about the reality of choking in little ones."

She added: "Little ones don't have their full set of teeth and a mature chew yet, which is why I've made it a rule for my own family, no whole nuts for a child under five."

The Australian-based first-aid educator had previously revealed the best ways to reduce your child's risk of choking.

Nikki wrote: “Choking is silent. You could be standing on the opposite side of the room with your back turned, and your bub could be choking. 

“Unless they thrash about or somehow get your attention, you might not even notice.”

These are:

1. No food in the car

Nikki said: “We eat before we leave and after we arrive. 

“That's because if I'm driving down the highway and one of them chokes, I can't stop quickly to deliver life-saving back blows and chest thrusts. 

“To be honest, I may be so focused on the road that I might not even notice, particularly because Wolfie is still rear-facing.”

2. Eat at the table

Nikki said: “If your bub is up and running around or lying down while eating, they are more likely to choke. 

“It also means I can easily have my eyes on them at all times because they're not hiding in a cupboard somewhere while eating.”

3. Sit with the child

Nikki said either her or her partner is always with the kids when they are eating, “distraction free”, meaning no phones or TV.

“You need to be watching them constantly and paying attention to keep them safe,” she said.

Nikki said this is why she won't let her children eat in the car, because she is not able to watch them.

4. Safe foods only

Some foods are more of a risk for youngsters than others.

“There's well known choking hazards, particularly for kids under five, such as whole nuts, hard fruits and veggies, marshmallows and popcorn,” said Nikki.

It’s advised not to give small children foods in a circular shape or small lumps.

Instead, slice foods or make them into sticks.

5. Modify, substitute or distract

Nikki said if one of her kids asks her or her partner for food they do not think is safe to share, they have a strategy of “modify, substitute or distract”.

She said: “Modify: such as boiling or grating.

“Substitute such as swapping popcorn for baby corn puffs.

“Or distract them with something else and delay introducing it to them until they are older and developmentally more capable of chewing and swallowing."