First Aid

Curiosity in children is beautiful to watch, but in an unguarded moment it can also land your cherub in serious trouble. If any emergency does arise, every second counts and knowing how to administer infant first aid until further help arrives gives your child the best chance of recovery.

What to do if your child ...
Has been burnt or scalded
Remove the child's clothing (only if it's not stuck to the skin). Cool the burnt area with running cold tap water. Cover with loose, non-sticky dressing such as plastic wrap.

Has swallowed poison
Take the container of whatever the child has swallowed and call the National Poisons Information Centre for advice.

Is choking
If the child is breathing, check the mouth for any object and remove it. If the child is not breathing call 000 then check the mouth for objects and give five back blows. If breathing doesn't commence, start CPR.

Prevention and Preparation
The best way of preventing an accident is to be aware of the common dangers children might encounter and be vigilant. Simple preventative measures include :
* Never leaving a child unsupervised around water.
* Fencing the pool
* Storing medications and household chemicals out of children's reach.
* Installing child-resistant locks on cupboards.
* Placing guards and screens in front of heaters and and open fires.

Further every house should have a well stocked first aid kit kept in a safe place.

Source : Burke (2009), Safety First, Coles Baby: winter 2009, James Newsman Australia
picture image adapted from metropolismon