The Toy: A Double Tragedy Averted

It was only a toy, or at least that is what Todd’s parents thought when they first bought it for their one year old, at the toy store. It appeared to be a fun toy for everyone including Todd's parents and the small family dog.

Todd played with it for several hours throughout the early evening.

A near tragedy unfolded the next morning, when Todd awakened earlier than normal. He stood up, reached over the side of his crib and picked up the toy that was on his dresser top. He loved its bright colors and the way the parts moved. Soon, the toy was in his mouth. Bit by bit, Todd succeeded in separating the various parts of the toy. He sat in his crib playing with them, quietly. A few of the parts fell on the floor.

Their dog was the first to sense that something was wrong with Todd. In fact, he was the only one that heard him choking.

“Woof, woof!”

Persistent barking and scratching at their bedroom door awakened Todd’s parents. They knew something was wrong and quickly ran into his bedroom.

Todd’s color was already dusky, as he lay unconscious in his crib, surrounded by the various parts of his new toy.

“Call 911!” his mother ordered. Seeing the toy was in pieces, she knew that Todd had probably swallowed one of its parts. It appeared likely that it lodged in his airway and was blocking his breathing. She knew he would suffocate, unless she was able to remove it.

Todd’s mother picked him up and quickly began to do the Heimlich maneuver for children. Fortunately, she managed to dislodge the part of the toy immediately. With Todd’s airway cleared, his mother and father started CPR on him. Moments later, he began to cough, cry and breathe normally. Relieved and tearful, his mother held him close.

A little while later, much to their dismay, the parents wound up doing the Heimlich maneuver on their dog, too. He had swallowed a part of the new toy, too.