The Mom Kind Every parent’s worst nightmare is their child being injured or becoming unwell. That’s why it’s essential to be prepared for any medical emergency by knowing basic first aid. From choking to nosebleeds to burns, having a clear presence of mind and knowing what to do in an emergency can mean the difference between life and death.
Why Should Parents Learn About First Aid?
Statistics show that about half of all childhood accidents happen at home and that most are preventable. But even when taking all the necessary precautions, accidents can still occur. Parents must know how to deal with them should they occur.
In addition to being prepared for at-home accidents, paediatric first aid knowledge is also essential when you’re out and about with your kids. From playground mishaps to car accidents, there are many potential hazards that your child could face daily. Knowing what to do in an emergency can help you keep calm and save your child’s life.
What Are Some Basic First Aid Tips Every Parent Should Know?
Here are some essential first-aid tips every parent should know:
Choking
If your child is choking, encourage them to cough, and if they are unable to speak, cry or breathe, give up to five back blows between their shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. If this doesn’t work, try giving up to five abdominal thrusts.
Learning the Heimlich maneuver could also be beneficial as it can be used on adults and children over one.
Nosebleeds
For a nosebleed, please have your child sit up straight and lean forward slightly so that blood doesn’t run down the back of their throat. Using a clean tissue, apply pressure to the soft part of their nose (not the bony ridge) for five minutes. If the bleeding is still ongoing after this time, repeat the process.
Never pack the nose with cotton wool, which can cause further irritation.
Burns
Suppose your child has a minor burn (red, sore, and dry skin); run the affected area under cool water for at least ten minutes. This will help to soothe the pain and reduce swelling. Apply a sterile gauze or cloth over the burn before giving them ibuprofen or paracetamol for the pain.
If the burn is more severe (blisters, white or charred skin), do not try to remove any clothing that’s stuck to the skin, as this could cause further damage. Instead, cover the area with a clean, dry cloth and call for medical help immediately.
Cuts and grazes
For cuts, apply pressure using a clean cloth to stop the bleeding. If the cut is more than a quarter of an inch deep, seek medical help, as it will likely require stitches.
If the cut is shallow, hold the cloth in place and wait for the bleeding to stop before cleaning the wound with cool water. Apply an antibiotic ointment and a bandage or plaster to keep the area clean and protected.
Grazes can be more painful than they look. To clean a graze, hold it under running water for five minutes before patting it dry with a clean towel. Apply an antibiotic ointment and a sterile dressing or plaster.
Insect stings and bites
Remove the stinger (if visible) with a clean pair of tweezers, then wash the area with soap and water. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain. If your child has an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, hives), call 911 immediately.
If you’re ever in doubt about what to do in a medical emergency, always err on the side of caution and call 999 (in the UK) for an ambulance.
Learning basic first aid is an essential life skill for every parent. Preparing for any eventuality can help ensure your child’s safety at home and out in the world. Hopefully, you’ll never have to use these skills, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
What Are The 4Cs Of First Aid?
The four Cs of first aid are: Check the scene for safety. Check the casualty for consciousness. Call for help. Care for the casualty. Complete the first aid.
If you remember these four simple steps, you’ll be able to provide primary first-aid care in any emergency. Once you’ve assessed the situation and ensured that you and the casualty are safe, you can start providing care. This may involve applying pressure to a bleeding wound to perform CPR.
If possible, call for help before starting first-aid care, as this will ensure that the casualty receives the medical attention they need as quickly as possible. In some cases, such as when someone is choking or not breathing, every second counts, so it’s essential to act fast.
First-aid care is an essential life skill that everyone should know. Preparing for any eventuality can help ensure your child’s safety at home and out in the world.
Hopefully, you’ll never have to use these skills, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Learning the four Cs of first aid (Check, Call, Care, Complete) is a great place to start.
Final Words
Emergencies are never fun, but being prepared and knowing what to do can help ensure your child receives the care they need as quickly as possible. First-aid care is an essential life skill for every parent, so ensure you’re familiar with the basics. Remember, knowledge is power.
The Mom Kind
Alicia Trautwein is an Autism advocate, writer, motivational speaker, and dedicated mom of four. Alicia’s desire to advocate for Autism comes from her own autism diagnosis and that of her three children, niece, and brother. Her life’s mission is to educate on autism acceptance and change the world for future generations of autistic individuals.
