British Red Cross: Christmas First Aid Tips
British Red Cross: Christmas First Aid Tips
As childcare settings prepare for Christmas, it’s important to remind ourselves of simple first aid steps that can help keep little ones safe during the festive season. Whether it’s sugar-fueled trips and falls or putting small pieces of new toys in their mouths, the holidays are a common time for accidents. Share our handy tips with your team, child carers and parents to help avoid any nasty surprises over the festive period.
If a baby or child is choking
Signs they are choking:
If a child is choking, they may be suddenly quiet after eating or putting something in their mouth, or unable to breathe, cough or speak/cry. You may notice a change in the colour of their skin and they may be visibly distressed.
Helping a baby (less than one year old) who is choking:
1. Give up to five back blows: hold the baby face-down, supported along your thigh, with their head lower than their bottom. Hit them firmly on their back between the shoulder blades up to five times, checking the mouth between each back blow. If back blows do not dislodge the blockage, move on to step 2.
2. Give up to five chest thrusts: turn the baby over so they are facing upwards, lying on your thigh with their head supported but still lower than their bottom. Place two fingers in the middle of their chest just below the nipples. Push sharply downwards up to five times.
3. Call 999 (or get someone else to do it) if the blockage does not dislodge.
4. Continue with cycles of five back blows and five chest thrusts and follow the guidance of the 999 ambulance operator.
If a child has a sprain or strain
1. Get the child to rest.
2. Apply an ice pack to the injury. An ice pack could be ice or frozen vegetables wrapped in a tea towel. Applying it to the injury for up to 20 minutes will reduce the swelling and pain.
3. If there is no improvement, seek medical advice.
If a baby or child suffers a burn
1. Cool the burn under cold running water for at least 20 minutes. Cooling the burn will reduce pain, swelling and the risk of scarring. The sooner and longer a burn is cooled with cold running water, the less the impact of the injury.
2. After the burn has been cooled, cover it with cling film or a clean plastic bag. This helps prevent infection by keeping the area clean. Cling film or plastic won’t stick to the burn and will reduce pain by keeping air from the skin’s surface.
3. Call 999 if necessary. If you can't call 999 get someone else to do it. The burn may need urgent medical treatment. Always seek medical advice for a baby or child who has been burned.
If a baby or child bumps their head
1. Make sure they rest and apply something cold to the injury – for example, frozen vegetables wrapped in a tea towel. Applying something cold to the injury for up to 20 minutes will reduce external swelling and pain. When a child has a blow to the head, their brain can be shaken inside the skull. This may cause a more serious head injury or concussion, which may make them feel sick or drowsy.
2. If they become sleepy, vomit or seem confused, call 999. This could be a sign of a serious injury to the head. If you can't call 999, get someone else to do it.
Paediatric first aid training
The Red Cross two-day paediatric first aid course is compliant with Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) standards and is perfect for individuals working with young children, including those in nurseries or as childminders.
It includes basic paediatric first aid skills, including accident reporting and administering medication, for those working in a childcare setting.
Don't forget, if you're a Morton Michel policyholder, you can get a 10% discount on the British Red Cross's paediatric first aid courses via our exclusive ChildCare Club.
Please note, the information in this article is provided by the British Red Cross and does not represent the views or opinions of Morton Michel.