It's every parent's worst nightmare.

We're talking about that heart-stopping moment when a child chokes on food. In an instant, you have a life-or-death situation on your hands. Perhaps the most frightening aspect is that choking is unpredictable and can stem from what seems like the most innocuous foods, everyday staples we typically don't give a second thought.

While most parents don't like to think about choking, it's a harsh reality. According to the New York State Department of Health, choking is the fourth-leading cause of unintentional deaths in kids under age 5. In the United States, at least one child dies from choking every five days -- and those numbers don't include the 10,000 children who are rushed to the hospital with food choking-related injuries every year.

With statistics like that, it's easy for parents to get choked up. And they aren't the only ones. In 2010, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a new policy asking the Federal Drug Administration to slap warning labels on foods that put children in harm's way. They also called upon food manufacturers to consider repackaging foods in ways that make them less dangerous for youngsters.

In a New York Times article, Dr. Gary Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital, pointed out that despite being as lethal as toys, food manufacturers don't face the same regulations.

Smith, the lead author of the AAP's policy, told the Times, "You have a SuperBall that by government regulation has to carry warnings telling people it's a risk to young children and you can't market it to them, yet you can have the same identical shape and size gumball, and there are no restrictions or requirements."

That was more than three years ago, yet nothing has changed. At the end of the day, the onus is on parents to recognize commonplace choking hazards. As tragic as choking deaths and injuries are, in many cases, they actually are preventable with a little bit of common sense and a whole lot of precaution.

Some general rules of thumb: Supervise children while they are eating. Prohibit kids from eating while they are running, playing or jumping around. Cut foods into smaller pieces. Get trained in CPR, the Heimlich and other first aid. And above everything else, familiarize yourself with the foods that put your children at risk. Here are some of the biggest offenders, according to experts.

1. Hot Dogs: Kids love them, but hot dogs also top the list of foods that kids choke on. In food-related asphyxiations of kids 10 and younger, the ballpark staple was the culprit in 17 percent of cases, according to a study done by the AAP.

This food, when not cut properly, fails the size and shape tests. In fact, cutting nickel-shaped slices of hot dogs poses more of a danger than even serving them whole. Circular items are more likely to block the airway, according to the AAP.

"Every food poses a choking risk in young kids, but the hot dog has just the right size and consistency to perfectly block the airway. It's the perfect plug that doesn't allow any air to get through," said Johns Hopkins Children's pediatrician Nisha Kapadia, M.D., during a recent presentation at the hospital. Cut those round slices into quarters or even eighths to make them safer for young kids, and consider not serving hot dogs until age 4.

2. Candy: Not-so-sweet news for anyone trying to quell their little ones' cravings for candy. It sucks, but those hard candies are downright dangerous. Unfortunately, there really isn't any way to get around this hazard -- candy is a major culprit. While a post-meal mint may be seem innocent enough, not so much.

In 2005, two children in New York City died two days apart after choking on those popular peppermint candies. The best way to minimize the risk of such sweet treats? Abstinence. Others that top the list include gum, lollipops, marshmallows, caramels, jelly beans, hard candies and cough drops.

3. Bagels: Oy vey – this chewy, round bread can be a dangerous food for young kids, particularly those without sufficient teeth to grind it up. It's denser than other types of bread, such as those that come sliced in a loaf, so it's less likely to break up in the child's mouth.

And when bagels become gummy, they are more likely to block the airway. If served, bagels should be sliced very thinly and in small pieces.

4. Peanut Butter: Talk about a sticky situation. Aside from the fact that peanuts are one of the most-cited allergenic foods for kids, its smooth counterpart, peanut butter, is a major choking culprit. It's even possible for an adult to choke on a big glob of peanut butter when it doesn't dissolve enough to pass smoothly through the throat. Peanut butter should be spread thinly on a small piece of bread or cracker so that it can be swallowed easily.

Pairing peanut butter with another choking risk, such as apples, can cause the peanut butter to act like glue in the throat and exacerbate choking risks. It's best to leave these foods to older kids who can chew thoroughly.

5. Popcorn: The movies can turn into a real horror show when it comes to feeding kids popcorn. It's on the American Academy of Pediatrics' list of foods not to give a child until age 4, and for good reason. The size of a popped kernel is perfect for getting lodged in the throat, blocking the trachea, and pieces of a chewed, popped kernels can be inhaled easily, an event that can be lethal for a child.

Those unpopped kernels at the bottom of the bag also pose a choking threat. This food is definitely not an easy one to cut or section in order to make it safer for small children, which is why it is featured in the AAP's 2008 policy statement, advising parents not to give popcorn to young children at all.

6. Grapes: They may be the fruit of the gods, but they certainly aren't a fruit for small children. Grapes are considered a high choking risk for kids. In fact, some daycares flat-out refuse to even serve whole grapes to children. Whole grapes pose a definite danger for children because they can easily become lodged in the throat and block the airway.

To reduce the risk, grapes should be peeled and sliced in half. For toddlers, smash up grapes until the fruit reaches a mushy consistency.

 7. Carrots: Encouraging your kids to get their five-a-day may seem like a healthy enough rule of thumb. However, crunching and munching on fresh fruits and veggies comes with its own perils. Among the other offenders: 

• apples
• celery
• pears
• broccoli stems

These lunchtime standbys are actually high on the list of no-nos.

In their raw form, produce isn't recommended for children under the age of 4. The AAP recommends cutting fruit and veggies into pieces that are no larger than ½-inch.

Another way to enjoy these nutritional noshes without the risk is by cooking them down into a softer consistency so they're safe, yet scrumptious. Canned fruits in water are also a safe way to help children to get their five fruits and vegetables a day without putting them at risk. 

Dr. William Sears, a leading expert in child rearing, points out that children under the age of children four and under are not mature enough to comprehend the important of thoroughly chewing up foods or spitting pits and cores out. And that is why many choking incidents often occur. 

It is important to teach children proper eating techniques. Always supervise young children when they are eating. Encourage kids not to put too much in their mouths at one time. Most parents have seen that chipmunk cheek look at one time or another, when little ones pack as much food as they can into their mouths. Discourage such practices.

In addition, teach children to chew until food is broken down into little pieces. Although it might seem like "slap-your-forehead" common sense, there are actually people who overlook the importance of such instructions. 

In addition to the super seven, here are some other foods that don't make the cut: 

• cherries with pits
• meat
• chunks
• nuts
• hot dog, whole chunks
• raisins
• stringy foods
• whole olives 

In 2001 – the latest year for which statistics are available – about 17,500 kids were treated in emergency rooms for choking, but only 60 percent of those cases involved food. Keep in mind other choking hazards around the house, such as small toys. Balls, coins, marker tops and particularly latex balloons are common items that kids choke on.

Kids choking on balloons comprised 48 of the 160 recorded toy-related deaths between the years of 1990-1997, according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, so they should be monitored especially closely. Broken pieces and deflated balloons should be kept away from young children – they can stick to the esophagus and trachea and be difficult to remove.

As scary as it may sound, there are steps you can take to be proactive and protect your children. In the famous words of action hero G.I. Joe, knowing is half the battle.

If your child does choke, time is of the essence to prevent asphyxiation. If the child is coughing or gagging, then give him a couple of seconds to get the food dislodged. Coughing is the best way to do this. If the child isn't making noise and is turning bright red or blue, then the situation is more serious because he or she isn't able to breathe. Call 911 to summon help immediately. In the meantime, attempt to dislodge the item yourself.

A child who is choking should have the Heimlich maneuver performed. Stand or kneel behind the child and wrap your arms around him. Make a fist and place it just above the navel. Wrap your other hand around your fist and give quick, upward thrusts.

If the child begins coughing or breathing or the item is dislodged, then you can stop.

If the child isn't getting air and passes out, then you must begin CPR immediately. Never begin by blindly feeling for an item in the throat – only perform a finger sweep of the mouth and throat if you see the item and can grasp it easily. Otherwise, begin rescue breaths.

Begin with back blows for a child younger than 1 year old. A baby should be positioned face up on one forearm with the head cradled in the hand. Place the other hand and forearm on the baby, sandwiching him between your forearms.

Hold him tightly and flip him onto his stomach while holding his face and body in place with the bottom arm.

Support his jaw with your thumb and forefinger. Sit down and position his body so that his head is lower than his chest and use the heel of your hand to deliver five firm back blows between his shoulder blades.

If it doesn't dislodge the item, then carefully turn the child over, keeping his head below his chest and deliver chest thrusts. Press down with two or three fingers in the center of the chest just below the nipples five times, just enough to depress the chest an inch or so.

Alternate chest thrusts and back blows until the object is forced out or the baby cries or coughs on his own.  You may need to perform CPR if it doesn't work.

Becoming certified in infant and child CPR is a great idea for parents. You can contact your local Red Cross for classes.