NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — A new bill moving through Trenton would require school districts to keep anti-choking devices available.
According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, 66 to 77 children younger than 10 die from choking on food each year.
This legislation would require schools to keep an anti-choking or airway-clearing device in the cafeteria or nurse's office to help clear a blockage and save a child’s life.
Kim and Darrin Chambers urged the state Senate Education Committee to pass the bill after losing their son Maverick to a choking accident in 2022 when he was just four months old.
“I would trade everything I own on this planet right now to have one of these devices available just to try it the day of Mav’s accident. Requiring airway clearance devices in schools is a simple, cost-effective measure that can and will save lives,” Darrin said.
The Chambers have been working with LifeVac, a company that produces a $70 airway-clearing device, to get them into as many schools and other places as possible. So far they say the devices are at the ready in more than 130 New Jersey school districts.
The bill received unanimous committee approval but needs to pass full votes in the Senate and Assembly before becoming law.