First Aid

Ideally all parents and carers of children should attend a first aid course. These are run by a variety of organizations including St.Johns Ambulance service through to Tesco. Below is some information for some of the most common first aid ailments. If in any doubt please contact your Dr or healthcare professional.

Cuts And Grazes

Most cuts and grazes just need a thorough clean with water, make sure your hands are clean before doing this. If the cut or graze is small and the child is not likely to get dirt into it, it is best left uncovered, although most children find a plaster very soothing. For bigger cuts and grazes it is important to cover with either a plaster or clean dressing, which can be held in place with dressing strips.

For deep cuts, raise the area of the body that has been cut, place a sterile dressing onto the area, applying firm pressure, then seek medical help either by consulting your Dr, NHS direct, or call 999.

Burns And Scalds

Unfortunately burns and scalds are one of the most common accidents in childhood. Extreme care needs to be taken near kettles, cookers, hot drinks and hot running baths.

What Are The Different Types Of Burns?

There are three main types of burns:

• Superficial
• Partial thickness
• Full thickness

What Is A Superficial Burn?

A superficial burn only causes damage to the outer layer of the skin. Although the skin may be red and slightly painful, it will normally heal within 4-6 days.

What Is A Partial Thickness Burn?

This may also be known as a second degree burn. This normally penetrates deeper than the top layer of skin and will blister. It generally heals within 2-3 weeks but will require medical attention.

What Is A Full Thickness Burn?

This will require immediate hospitalization as nearly every layer of the skin will be affected and sometimes the nerve endings will be destroyed. This type of burn will require a skin graft.

What Should I Do If My Child Gets Burnt?

If it is a small burn or scald you will need to run it under the cold tap to cool the wound and reduce the pain for at least 5-10 minutes. Remove any clothing from the area, unless the clothing is stuck to the skin. Then apply a sterile, non fluffy dressing to the burn. DO NOT apply fat or cream to the burn or scald.

If the burn is more severe contact your Dr, NHS direct or 999 immediately.

How To Prevent Childhood Burns And Scalds?

• Always run the cold tap first when running a bath
• Ensure that saucepan handles are not where your child can reach it
• Ensure that both the kettle and the kettle cord is out of reach
• Make sure when drinking a hot drink it is out of reach
• Never leave your child alone in a room when you are ironing, even if it to quickly answer the phone

Poisoning

There are many household items that may cause your child to be poisoned, such as:

• Medicines
• Alcohol
• Cleaning products
• Gardening products
• Berries from the garden

What Should I Do If I Think My Child Has Been Poisoned?

Make your way to your nearest hospital or Drs surgery. Before leaving the house try to establish what your child might have taken and take a sample with you, this will help the Dr to establish what treatment to take. If your child has vomited, take a sample of the vomit to the hospital to help the Drs. If your child hasn’t vomited do not try to make him sick.

Choking

Choking is caused by an obstruction in the airway. Sometimes it may be caused by something as simple as food or drink going down the wrong way. Normally coughing sorts the problem out.

What Should I Do If My Baby Is Choking?

First check to see whether you can see the obstruction, if it is at the front of the mouth you maybe able to hook it out with your finger, do not try this if it is at the back of the mouth.

If this does not work, you will need to hold your baby upside down, do this by positioning your baby so its head and neck is supported in your hand with the body lying on your forearm and give five slaps on the back in between the shoulder blades. Hopefully this will dislodge anything in the airway.

If this does not work and your child is over one year of age you can try the Heimlich manoeuvre (if you know how to do it).At this point if you have not done so already please call 999.

If you know how to give CPR this can be commenced if your baby has no pulse and is not breathing. If your baby is not breathing but has a pulse you can give rescue breaths. This is where is important to have attended a first aid and CPR course, if you haven’t when you call 999 they will give you detailed instructions on what to do.