You have probably already noticed how many toys carry tags and labels saying “Not suitable for children under 3.” There is good reason for those warnings. Young children very quickly put things in their mouths and then accidentally swallow them. Money, parts of toys, and small foods can all be choking hazards for a one-year-old.

If you see your child's hand closed in a fist, always check that he isn't clutching something small in it. If you notice that he's holding his mouth closed, be sure he isn't hiding something in there. If your child does get something in his mouth, try to get him to spit it out rather than putting your fingers in his mouth or throat, which can push the item farther down. If your child doesn't spit anything out, tilt his head forward and swipe your finger in his mouth without reaching in too deeply. A rule to keep in mind is that one-year-olds cannot be trusted with anything that is smaller than their thumbs.

In addition to putting things in their mouths, one-year-olds also love to stick things up their noses. If something gets stuck in your child's nostril, do not try to take it out yourself. Instead, take him to the doctor or emergency room.

Balloons aren't small, but they do break, and pieces of balloon are the number-one cause of asphyxiation in small children. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, nearly one-third of children who choke to death each year (most of whom were eight or younger) do so on latex balloons. Your child can easily put a balloon fragment into her mouth quickly. Because balloon material is slippery, it gets caught easily in the windpipe.

While children love balloons and they are everywhere children are, they are dangerous. Being aware of their danger is a good first step in preventing a choking problem, but you can take other levels of prevention. First, if a balloon breaks, double- and triple-check that all of the pieces have been found and thrown away. Second, do not let a small child put her mouth near a balloon (which she will want to do). Third, and most importantly, don't buy balloons.

The strings of balloons, as well as the strings on other toys, are also a potential problem for children, as they can wrap them around their wrists and necks. Simply being aware of the ways in which a one-year-old can misuse things like string is your best defense against a problem. A one-year-old should only play with string under your supervision.