One of the top priorities of parents is to keep your child safe at all times. For doing this, you should learn how all the things necessary for protecting children inside and outside the house. You should also know what to do in case of an emergency and know everything about stocking a first-aid kit. So for this it’s necessary that Children First Aid Safety is learned by all parents.
Here are some tips for dealing with the most common accidents occurring to kids:
Scrape or cut
If it’s bleeding, then first of all firmly press over the cut or scrape with clean cloth until bleeding stops. It can take from 3-15 minutes. Then clean it under the lukewarm running water and then gently pat it dry. If the wound was caused by animal scratching or if it’s dirty, then rinse it with water and lather it with soap. In case skin is broken, then apply thin layer of an OTC antibiotic ointment and cover with gauze or bandage and an adhesive tape. And if bleeding is not being controlled after numerous attempts at direct pressure, then call a pediatrician or 91.
Burn
Immediately apply a wet, cold towel or hold the part burned under cool running water until the pain is lessened. Also any small blisters should be covered with loose gauze or bandage and tape; and call doctor or 911 as soon as possible when burns are on hands, genitals or face, or if burns are more than 1/4 inch on any body part. The skin will become brown or white and go dry if burn is deep so in this case you should go to the E.R. and if a burn is covering 1/10 or more of the body then cold compresses shouldn’t be used and 911 should be called immediately and the child should be covered with a clean blanket or sheet so hypothermia can be prevented until help arrives. You should also be aware that scalds, from hot liquids or foods can commonly cause burn injuries in children of 6 months – 2 years old.
Nosebleed
For this make your child sit upright, but head shouldn’t be tilted back. Also loosen any of the tight clothing around the neck. Then pinch the child’s lower end of nose which is close to the nostrils and then have him/her to lean forward and you apply pressure along with it continuously for 5-10 minutes. Check the nose and don’t release because it may prolong the bleeding.
Glass or splinter
Wash around the splinter with soap and water. With a pair of tweezers cleaned with alcohol slowly pull the splinter out and then again wash the skin. If a splinter is not being removed, then leave it for like a day or more to check if it can come out on its own. In case a child steps on a glass piece and it’s not being removed easily, then wrap a clean cloth around the injured area and consult the E.R. Even if you think that the glass is out you should ask the doctor for an X-ray because scans sometimes find that shards may lead to infection.
Eye Trauma
If your child has constant tearing, severe pain, blurry vision or light sensitivity after being hit or poked in the eye, then hold a wet, cool cloth over the injured area and go to E.R. Maybe there’s a scratch on the eye’s surface for which it has to be treated with ointment or prescription drops. It normally heals in 48 hours. In case a chemical has gotten in the eye, then hold the lid open and wash with lukewarm water, also call Poison Control.
Insect Sting or bite
In case an insect has left a stinger, then gently scrape the skin with a credit card or your fingernails for removing it without breaking. If you use tweezers then it can squeeze out more venom. Call doctor if child is having trouble in breathing, develops hives or a hoarse voice, is coughing, or gets a swollen tongue or lips.
