Courtesy of The American Red Cross
It’s no secret that parents and caregivers need some first aid know how. Here are some of the most common health hazards–and what first aid steps to take.
A scorpion or bee stings them.
What should you do? Calm your child and check for a stinger at the site of pain. Remove any stinger by scraping it away with a flat surface such as a credit card. Wash the area with soap and water, then apply a cold pack. Call for medical help if you see any sign of an allergy attack–difficulty breathing, rash, swelling of hands, feet or face.
They sprain or strain a foot sliding into home.
What should you do? Remember RICE: Rest, Immobilize, Cold and Elevate. Rest: Don’t move the injured part. Immobilize: Stabilize the injured part with a pillow or splint. Cold: Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling and pain. Elevate: Prop up the injured part, as long as it does not add to the pain. Seek medical attention if the swelling and pain are severe.
They break a leg–literally–at the school play.
What should you do? Support the injury with your hand or cushion it with a pillow or item of clothing. If the leg is deformed by the injury or movement is significantly painful, call 911. It is a myth that if you can move a limb it is not broken. Even if you can move it, it may be broken. An X-ray is usually required to diagnose a broken bone. Seek medical attention if the injury continues to swell, is painful or has caused the limb to be crooked or have a bone stick out of the skin.
They burn their hand making mac’n’cheese.
What should you do? Cool the burn under running water for ten minutes. Do not apply butter or shaving cream. Cover loosely with a clean plastic bag. If a child has been burned, it is always wise to seek medical advice. If the burn blisters, affects more than one area of the body, covers hands, feet, joints or face, or if underlying tissues are visible, call 911.
They cut a finger while carving their name in the patio deck.
What should you do? Put pressure on the wound with a clean cloth. If the bleeding is severe, call 911. Keep pressure on it. For a minor cut, you can wash the wound under cool running water. However, if the bleeding is major, don’t wash the wound.
They have a nose bleed because their fingers won’t stay out of their nose.
What should you do? Pinch the soft part of the nose just below the bony ridge and ask them to lean forward and breathe through their mouth. This will help the blood to clot. Don’t’ ask them to lean back, even though they may want to. If bleeding persists, get medical attention.
Information provided by The American Red Cross. They now offer a first aid app, putting free and simple life-saving information right in the hands of smart phone users. Features of the app include: Step-by-step instructions on how to handle the most common first aid situations, videos and animations and safety tips. You can find the app in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross or text GETFIRST to 90999 and you’ll receive a link to the app. Downloading the app is not a substitute for training. To learn more about Red Cross first aid courses or to register, visit redcross.org/takeaclass.
