Essential First Aid Skills for Common Childhood Injuries
Recognising When to Seek Professional Help
Although many incidents can be treated at home and most bumps and bruises are minor and easily remedied, it’s important that you are able to recognise the signs of serious conditions requiring immediate medical attention. If your child: has trouble breathing or swallowing, is unconscious, has severe burns, or is bleeding profusely, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance or your local emergency services.
If you are a parent or someone who works with children and you live in beautiful Adelaide, enrol in our First Aid Course Adelaide and make sure you're equipped for any emergency.
Treating Minor Cuts and Scrapes
Clean the wound in warm, mildly soapy water. Apply an antiseptic and cover with a sterile bandage. Watch for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling or fever in the following days.
Handling Burns and Scalds with Care
If it is a minor burn or scald, cool the burned area under running water for at least 20 minutes, but don’t use ice. Cover with a sterile, non-adhesive bandage. For any burn larger than your child’s hand, seek professional medical help at once.
What to Do When Your Child is Choking
Seeing your child choke is one of the scariest things a parent can experience. For an infant more than a year old (or adult), stand behind the person and give five back blows in between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. If that still doesn’t open the airway, give up to five chest thrusts. Place the heel of your hand on the lower part of the breastbone and support the back of the person with each thrust.
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