First Aid Fact Sheets
How to treat specific childhood emergencies:
HEAD INJURY ADVICE:
H.264 | WMV | CUTS & BURNS ADVICE: H.264 | WMV |
+ Small cuts or grazes:
If the area is still bleeding apply pressure
Wash the area and pat dry with a gauze swab
Clean it with an antiseptic wash or wipe
Apply a plaster that has a pad larger than the wound
Take the child to hospital or your doctor if the bleeding doesn’t stop, if an object is embedded in the wound
or the wound was caused by a bite or dirty object
+ Large cuts and severe bleeding:
Apply pressure with gauze to stop the bleeding for at least 10 minutes or longer if necessary
Elevate the injured limb above the heart if possible and continue to maintain pressure
Apply a sterile dressing over the wound while maintaining pressure
If blood soaks through the dressing, add a second one on top
Lay the child down supporting the injury in a raised position and seek medical attention
Do not try to remove a foreign body that has become embedded in the wound
+ Stings:
If the sting is visible flick it off the skin using something flat like a credit card (don’t use your fingers or
tweezers as you could push more poison into the skin)
Apply a cold compress for up to 10 minutes.
Swelling of the lips or tongue as well as wheezing are rare but this could be a sign of anaphylaxis so call an
ambulance immediately (see anaphylactic shock section)
Stings in the mouth can also be very serious; give an ice cube to suck on to keep the swelling down and
seek medical advice immediately
+ Bites:
Wash the bite and apply a cold, moist compress for up to 10 minutes
Clean the area with an antiseptic wash or wipe
Call an ambulance at the first sign of swelling around the face and lips, breathlessness and shock as this
could be a sign of anaphylaxis (see anaphylactic shock section)
First aid Fact sheets:
How to treat specific childhood emergencies
+ Foreign objects in eyes:
Sit the child down with their face to the light – tell the child not to rub their eye and let it water with tears
With the child’s head bent backwards, separate the eyelids and ask the child to look left, right, up and down
while you look for the object
If the object is on the white of the eye, try to wash it out by pouring clean water or a sterile eyewash into the
inner corner of the eye
If the object remains, moisten the damp corner of a tissue or handkerchief and dab the object on the
surface of the eye until it sticks to the material. Then lift it clear of the eye
Do not touch or try to remove an object that sticks to the eye, is embedded in the eyeball or rests on the
iris or pupil – seek medical attention immediately
+ Foreign objects in ears:
Find out what is trapped in the ear by asking the child or failing that looking into the ear canal
DO NOT touch or try to extract the object even if you can see it – it could be pushed in too far and
damage the ear drum
Take the child to a hospital or doctor
If the object is an insect, reassure the child then sit him/her down leaning their head to one side with the
affected ear uppermost
If it remains in the ear take the child to hospital or call NHS direct
+ Nosebleeds:
Sit the child down leaning forwards and pinch together the soft part of his or her nose
After 10 minutes, release the pinch. If it’s still bleeding reapply pressure for two more 10-minute stints
If it continues bleeding after this, go to A&E
+ Minor burns & scalds:
Hold the burn under cold running water for at least 10 minutes
Remove jewellery or tight clothing around the affected area
Loosely cover with cling film or a suitable dressing
Seek medical advice if the a burn is large, deep, blistered or appears to be infected
+ Severe burns:
Remove the child from the source of the burn
If possible get someone else to call an ambulance
Do not touch the burn or attempt to remove anything that is sticking to it
Call an ambulance if a helper has not already done so
Immerse or douse the burn with plenty of cool water or wet towels for at least 10 minutes or until the burn has cooled down
Do not apply anything to the burn other than cool liquid, preferably water, failing that a cool drink
Do not apply ice or iced water directly to the burn
Once the burn has cooled, gently remove or cut away clothing (unless it is sticking to the burn), shoes, belts or
jewellery before the area starts to swell or blister
If pain persists cool the area again
Monitor breathing and pulse and watch for signs of shock (see section on shock)
+ Strains and sprains:
Remember RICE – Rest, Ice, Comfortable support and Elevation
Rest – The child must rest the affected part of the body
Ensure they lie or sit down and support the injured part in a comfortable position
Ice – Apply a cold compress such as frozen peas wrapped in a towel
Comfortable support – Bandage a layer of cotton wool firmly around the injured area. Check the circulation
regularly and if it is restricted then reapply the bandage
Elevation – Raise and support the affected part to reduce the blood flow and reduce further swelling
If the child is in severe pain or cannot use the injured part then take them to hospital
+ Broken & dislocated bones:
Give the child lots of comfort and reassurance and persuade them to stay still
Do not move them unless you have to
Steady and support the injured limb with your hands to stop any movement
If there is bleeding press a clean pad over the wound to control the flow of blood. Then bandage on and around the wound
If you suspect a broken leg, put padding between the knees and ankles. Form a splint (to immobilise the leg
further) by gently, but firmly, bandaging the good leg to the bad one at the knees and ankles, then above and
below the injury. If it is an arm that is broken, improvise a sling to support the arm close to the body
Call an ambulance
If it does not distress the child too much, raise and support the injured limb
Do not give the casualty anything to eat or drink in case an operation is necessary
Watch out for signs of shock (see section on shock)
If the child becomes unconscious, follow the resuscitation sequence
+ Swallowing objects:
Reassure the child so they do not panic
Try to find out exactly what object they have swallowed
If the object was small and smooth take them to the doctors or A&E
If you know or suspect your child has swallowed a button battery, seek urgent medical advice
If the object is large and sharp or if they are having difficulty breathing or swallowing call an ambulance
Do not let them eat or drink in case they need general anaesthetic at hospital
+ Choking:
Young children are especially prone to choking. A child may choke on food or put small objects into their mouth.
Remember to stay calm and follow the steps below:
Encourage the child to cough
If they can’t, lean the child forwards, supporting them with one hand
Using your other hand give up to five sharp slaps between the shoulder blades
If back slaps don’t work, put your arms around the front of the child
Move your clenched fist down to their upper abdomen
Pull sharply inwards and upwards up to 5 times
Repeat back blows and thrusts three times
Call an ambulance and continue until help arrives
If they fall unconscious, start ABC (see unconsciousness section)
+ Head injuries:
Make sure you assess and monitor the child. Remember to stay calm and follow the steps below:
Sit the child down and apply a cold compress
If he or she does not recover fully within five minutes visit A&E or call an ambulance immediately
If the child loses consciousness for a short time then recovers fully, he/she is probably concussed. Ensure the
child rests and call your doctor at once. If the child does not recover fully within half an hour, call an ambulance
+ Shock:
The most common cause of shock is severe blood loss. Remember to stay calm and follow the steps below:
If possible get someone else to call an ambulance
Treat any obvious cause of shock such as severe bleeding
Lay the child down raising the legs above the level of the heart
Loosen any restriction around the neck, chest and waist
Call an ambulance if a helper has not already done so
Stop the child becoming cold by covering him or her with a blanket or coat
Check the child’s level of consciousness by asking simple direct questions
Monitor breathing and pulse
+ Anaphylactic shock:
This is a severe allergic reaction affecting the whole body. Remember to stay calm and follow the steps below:
Call an ambulance or if possible get someone else to call one for you. If possible provide details of the cause of the allergic reaction
This is a life-threatening reaction to a specific food, drug or insect sting that can develop within seconds or
minutes - the child may be anxious and have puffy eyes, a swollen face, lips and tongue and an itchy red skin
rash. They may develop wheezing and breathing difficulties and could lose consciousness
An adrenaline injection must be given as soon as possible but the child should be made comfortable until medical help arrives
If the child is conscious, help them to sit up in the position that makes breathing easiest
Check if the child is carrying a syringe of epinephrine (adrenaline) and help him or her to use it
Monitor the child’s breathing and pulse until medical help arrives
If the child loses consciousness open the airway, check breathing and pulse until medical help arrives
(see section on unconsciousness)
+ Hypothermia:
This can be caused by prolonged exposure to cold. Remember to stay calm and follow the steps below:
Symptoms include the child’s skin becoming pale, cold and dry. They will be shivering, breathing slowly and the pulse will weaken
Call an ambulance or if possible get someone else to call one for you
Give the child a warm bath
When the colour of their skin turns to normal, dry them and wrap them up in a blanket
Then fully dress them and put on a hat and gloves
Put the child to bed and give them a warm drink
Stay with the child until the doctor arrives
If they fall unconscious, open the airway and check their breathing and circulation
You may need to resuscitate (see section on resuscitation in ‘How to treat an unconscious child’)
Stay with the child until the ambulance arrives
+ Near drowning (if the child is conscious):
Remember to stay calm and follow the steps below:
Remove the child from the water and carry them with their head lower than their chest to reduce the risk of inhaling water
If water gushes from the mouth, let it drain
Dry the child and get them warm as quickly as possible
Do NOT try to force water from the stomach as the child may vomit and inhale it
Take the child to hospital even if they seem perfectly ok as the inhaled water may cause the lungs to swell later
+ Near drowning (if the child is unconscious):
Remember to stay calm and follow the steps below:
Remove the child from the water, remove wet clothing and lay the child down on a blanket or coat
Check airway and breathing (see section on unconsciousness)
If the child is not breathing, start CPR (see section on CPR)
If they are unconscious yet still breathing put them into the recovery position and call for an ambulance immediately
+ Electrocution:
Playing with electrical wires or sockets can cause electrocution. Remember to stay calm and follow the steps below:
If you can, switch off the mains electricity
If you can’t switch off the electricity, stand on dry insulating material such as a phone book
Do NOT touch the child; instead use a wooden object to push the child’s limbs away from the source of electricity
Wrap a dry towel around their feet and pull them away from the source of electricity
If the child appears to be unharmed, encourage him or her to relax and rest and then call for your doctor
If the child falls unconscious, open their airway and check their breathing and be ready to give rescue breaths
(be ready to start CPR)
Call an ambulance
