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First-Aid For Children

Keeping your child safe is your top priority. To protect your child inside the house and out, what to do in an emergency, how to stock a first-aid kit, where to call for help, and more.

What is First aid?
First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed.

When we are injured or suddenly unwell, what we want and need is someone to help us someone who knows what to do. First aid is all about helping people in situations like this. First aid is help given to a person who has been hurt or is suddenly taken ill. First aid is the steps you can take before a person gets expert medical help. First aid can sometimes save a person’s life, but more often it is help given in an everyday accident or illness.

What kinds of things does first aid kit includes?
A first aid kit is a collection of supplies and equipment for use in giving first aid. It includes staying safe yourself and looking out for danger, helping someone feel better and stay calm. It also includes getting help - either by telling an adult or phoning 999.

Include the following in each of your first-aid kits:
• First-aid manual
• Sterile gauze pads of different sizes
• Adhesive tape
• Adhesive bandages in several sizes
• Elastic bandage
• A splint
• Antiseptic wipes
• Soap
• Antibiotic ointment
• Antiseptic solution (like hydrogen peroxide)
• Hydrocortisone cream (1%)
• Acetaminophen and ibuprofen
• Extra prescription medications (if the family is going on vacation)
• Tweezers
• Sharp scissors
• Safety pins
• Disposable instant cold packs
• Calamine lotion
• Alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol
• Thermometer
• Tooth preservation kit
• Plastic non-latex gloves (at least 2 pairs)
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Mouthpiece for administering cpr (can be obtained from your local red cross)
• Your list of emergency phone numbers
• Blanket (stored nearby)

You can also learn to handle common injuries and wounds. Cuts and scrapes, for example, should be rinsed with cool water. To stop bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure, using gauze. If blood soaks through, add more gauze, keeping the first layer in place. Continue to apply pressure.

1. In the event of a burn or scald:
Cool the burn as quickly as possible with cold (but not ice-cold) running water for a minimum of 10 minutes or until the pain is relieved. While cooling the burn, carefully remove any clothing or jewellery, unless it is attached to the skin. Do not put creams, lotions or sprays on the burn. Call 999 or seek medical help if necessary.

2. Bleeding
If someone has severe bleeding, the main aim is to prevent further loss of blood and minimise the effects of shock. First, dial 999 and ask for an ambulance as soon as possible. If you have disposable gloves, then use them to reduce the risk of any infection being passed on.

• Apply and maintain pressure to the wound with your hand, using a clean pad if possible.
• Use a clean dressing to bandage the wound firmly.
• If the wound is on a limb and there are no fractures, raise the limb to decrease the flow of blood.

3. Choking
If the airway is only partly blocked, the person will usually be able to speak, cry, cough or breathe. In situations like this, a person will usually be able to clear the blockage themselves.

• Encourage him to cough. If this doesn't clear the obstruction, support his upper body with one hand and help him lean forward.
• Give up to five sharp back blows between his shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
• If the obstruction has not cleared, stand behind him and put both arms around the upper part of the abdomen.
• Clench your fist and place it between the navel and the bottom of his breastbone.
• Grasp your fist firmly with your other hand.
• Pull sharply inwards and upwards up to five times.
• If this doesn't clear the obstruction, repeat backslaps and abdominal thrusts up to three times.
• If it still hasn't cleared, call 999/112 for emergency help. Continue until help arrives.

4. Dealing with a child (aged over one) who isn't breathing
• If he's unconscious, check his airway is open and clear.
• Tilt the head and lift the chin to open the airway.
• Look along the chest, and listen and feel for breaths.
• If he is not breathing, his heart will stop. CPR must be started immediately.
• Call for help.
• Tilt his head back with one hand and lift the chin with two fingers of your other hand to ensure the airway is open.
• Pinch his nose to close his nostrils. Take a breath and seal your lips over his mouth and blow gently for one second until his chest rises.
• Maintaining the head tilt and chin lift, take your mouth away from his. Look along the chest and watch it fall.
• Give FIVE initial rescue breaths.
• Kneel next to the child's chest and place one hand at the centre of his chest where you will apply pressure.
• Lean over the child with your hand vertical on the breastbone with the heel of your hand.
• Give 30 compressions at a rate of 100 per minute.
• Return to the child's head, open the airway and give two more breaths.
• Continue CPR until emergency help arrives, he starts to breathe normally or you're too exhausted to continue and have no-one else who can take over.

5. Dealing with a child aged over one or adult who is unconscious
• If he's unconscious, check his airway is open and clear.
• Tilt the head and lift the chin to open the airway.
• Look along the chest, and listen and feel for breaths.
• If he is not breathing, his heart will stop. CPR must be started immediately.

6. Poisoning
Poisoning can lead to vomiting, impaired consciousness, abdominal pain, seizures and/or an irregular or slow heartbeat. Look for plants and berries or empty or used containers etc in the vicinity.

If he is conscious, try to reassure him.
• Dial 999 for an ambulance. Give as much information as possible about the swallowed poison. This information will assist doctors so they can give appropriate treatment once you reach hospital.
• If the poison looks as though it is burning his lips then try to give him small sips of water.
• Never attempt to induce vomiting as this can lead to further damage.
• If he becomes unconscious, open the airway and check breathing. If he's breathing, he can be placed in the recovery position but if he's not breathing then you need to start CPR, using a face shield (or a barrier such as a plastic bag with a hole in it) to protect your mouth.

7. Seizures
In young children, seizures are most often the result of a raised body temperature associated with an infection.

• Place pillows or soft padding around the child so that even violent movement will not result in injury. Do not restrain the child in any way.
• Cool the child by removing any bedding and clothes, eg t-shirt or pyjama top; you may have to wait until the seizure stops.
• Ensure a good supply of fresh air but don't overcool the child.
• Once the seizures have stopped, maintain an open airway by placing the child in the recovery position. Call 999 for emergency help.
• Reassure and monitor.

8. Asthma attack
• If he already has a reliever inhaler – usually blue – help him use it. If this is his first attack, call an ambulance.
• It's really important that you keep calm and reassure him, staying with him to stop his panicking.
• Sit him upright and slightly forward, encouraging him to take slow breaths.
• Call an ambulance if the inhaler has no effect, if he's finding it difficult to talk, or if he's becoming exhausted.

9. Shock
• Shock is a life-threatening condition. If there's an obvious cause, like burns or bleeding, treat that first if you can.
• Reassure him and lie him down. Raise his legs above the level of his heart. Keep him warm with a blanket and dial 999 for an ambulance.

10. Fractures
It can be difficult to tell if a child has a broken bone, or a joint or muscle injury. If you're in any doubt, treat the injury as a broken bone. If the child is unconscious, has difficulty breathing or is bleeding severely, these should be dealt with first.

If the child is conscious, prevent any further injury by keeping them still until you get them safely to hospital. Assess the injury and decide the best way to get them to hospital. If they have a broken finger or arm, you may be able to drive them yourself without causing more harm. If they have a broken spine or leg, call for an ambulance.

It is important to have a first aid kit available. Keep one at home and one in your car. It should include a first-aid guide. Read the guide to learn how to use the items, so you are ready in case an emergency happens.