Introduction
A strangulation basically refers to the strangulation of the windpipe. Especially with babies or children, strangulation can occur quickly. Because of the experimenters and the lack of experience many objects become a potential source of danger.
Accidents and the subsequent strangulation with clothing or other objects can also occur. The consequences of strangulation depend very much on how tightly and for how long the infant’s neck was tied. In the case of strangulation, however, there is an acute danger to life, which is why quick action should always be taken. Depending on the child’s condition, the emergency services must be alerted.
What can a child strangle itself with?
The list of potentially dangerous items is long. Many pieces of jewelry, necklaces or articles of daily use contain a danger. For example, cords in jackets can also lead to strangulation.
Since 2001, many clothing manufacturers have refrained from using cords in children’s clothing because they became aware of the danger. However, especially in inherited or used garments, cords can occur which can wrap around the neck of children. Scarves can also lead to strangulation in small children.
If one end of the scarf gets caught on an object, in the worst case the scarf wraps itself tightly around the neck and constricts the windpipe. Bicycle helmets can also be dangerous if they are not taken off after cycling. For example, when climbing on a climbing spider or the like, the child can hang itself from the helmet if it gets caught in the ropes.
There are also some potentially dangerous objects in the household: electric cables, curtain cords or key rings. In principle, any object that is long and solid carries a certain risk. The form of strangulation can be divided into two types. Either the object is wrapped too tightly around the neck or the child slips and hangs himself from the object. The second case is more serious because the entire body weight pulls on the neck.
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