The following rules must be adhered to:

* purchase an inexpensive "choke tube". This is a circular plastic tube, designed to help you distinguish if an object is small enough to be swallowed. An empty prescription bottle or an empty toilet paper roll will also do.
* Always check new toys and stuffed animals for small, or easily removed parts.
* Balloons are top of the list for children's products that cause serious injury or death. Latex ballons are dangerous. If swallowed the latex can stick to the mucous membranes, making the Heimlich manuever useless. Never let children have uninflated balloons, and broken pieces should be thrown away immediately.
* Read directions carefully, and purchase age appropriate toys and games.
* Be aware that your baby or toddler will find access to toys belonging to older siblings. It just seems to be an unspoken law of averages. Therefore be insistant that all toys are put up after usage.
* Fix or throw out broken toys.
* Supervise usage of things like chemistry sets, electirc ovens, Etc.