Accidents happen, especially in the home where your children spend the majority of their time. All the fun things like climbing, swings, and trampolines all bring their own hazards. A child who is sick or injured may be frightened, and not understand what is happening to them.
And parents can start to feel panicky about dealing with your child’s fall or accident. Here are 6 quick tips for parents for first aid for kids:
Tips for Parents for First Aid for Kids
Knowing what to do in the event of an accident or emergency involving your child or a child in your care is important. For example, knowing how to react if your child bangs her head or starts to choke. Or being able to recognise the signs and symptoms of meningitis.
And knowing when you should call an ambulance, and what to do while you are waiting for the ambulance to arrive
#1. Reassure Your Child
If your child is frightened by what has happened to them or by the number of people around them, then your gestures, body language and tone of voice will be vital in gaining their trust.
Maintain eye contact, reassure your child, and explain everything that is happening around them.
#2. Position Yourself at Child Level
It may help to position yourself at the child’s level so that you are not towering above them when you are talking to them.
#3. Give Your Child a Sense of Security
Familiar objects such as a favourite toy or teddy, or familiar faces such as a friend or family member can help give the child a sense of security.
We have a “boo-boo bunny” that sits in our freezer, it’s an ice pack shaped like a bunny that is used for bumps and scrapes to reassure the child. Amazon sells something similar.
#4. Have a First Aid Kit in Your Home
Having a well-equipped first aid kit in your home and a smaller one in your car is an essential for all parents, grandparents and carers of children, so that in the event of accidents or incidents you will have the items you need to help.
#5. Have a List of Emergency Numbers to Hand
Keeping a list of Emergency numbers on your fridge door or in a prominent place in your kitchen can really help in your response to an accident.
Download our handy Emergency Contact Numbers List to fill out and stick on your fridge.
#6. Attend a First Aid for Kids Course
Keeping your child safe is your number one priority, and attending a Paediatric First Aid Course can help you learn how to protect your child both inside and outside the home, and equip you with life-saving and first aid skills to help you deal with a range of childhood illnesses and accidents.
You will learn what to do if your child is choking or has an allergic reaction, or what to do in the case of febrile seizures (a convulsion triggered by a fever).
Knowing you have the skills to deal with an accident or emergency can help you stay calm and ensure that you deal with the situation in the correct way.
About the Author: jenniferb
