We champion the spirit of adventure in all children!
That's why, together with our first aid expert Anna Webb*, we created a 'First aid for parents' hub to help you to treat those inevitable bumps and scrapes or anything else that might come your way!
We cover a range of common mishaps, including cuts, grazes & burns, as well as more severe accidents, such as choking or treating an unconscious child.
*Anna Webb does not endorse any medicinal brand or product.
First aid for parents - contents:
Cuts & grazes treatment
Though treating your child's first cut or cut might be upsetting, unfortunately, as your child begins to explore the world around them, the odd cut or graze is to be expected so you will soon get used to treating them. If your little one comes to you with a bump or graze, follow the next 5 steps to treat it:
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It is important to clean the wound to make sure that there isn’t anything in it that could cause the wound to become infected. You can clean a wound by rinsing it under running water, using a sterile wipe.
Pat the wound dry using a gauze swab and cover it with sterile gauze. If you don’t have these, use a clean, non-fluffy cloth, like a tea towel.
For a deep cut, raise and support the injured part above the level of the heart. Avoid touching the wound.
You can also use an antiseptic cream to help soothe your child and ensure that the wound is properly clean and to reduce the risk of infection.
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A wound won’t stop bleeding
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A foreign object is embedded in the wound – like a splinter of wood or glass
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The wound is from a human or animal bite
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You think the wound might be infected
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You are unsure whether the casualty has been immunised against tetanus.
Burns treatment
Though burns and scalds are less common in very young children as they tend to not be in the kitchen, cooking in the way that adults do, accidents happen. If your child gets a burn, follow the next three steps to treat it:
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Cooling the burn will reduce pain, swelling and the risk of scarring. The faster and longer a burn is cooled with cold running water, the less the impact of the injury.
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.
If you have to go to the hospital, it will also assist medical staff to look at the burn clearly without having to remove bandages or plasters which may stick to and have left debris within the burn.
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.
Burns - FAQs
Why is cooling the burn important?
Cooling the burn is important because it helps reduce pain and lowers the risk of long-term scarring.
Can I use a shower or cold bath to cool a burn?
A shower is a good way of flooding the burn with cold water to help the cooling. Focus the water on the site of the burn rather than the whole limb or body. The water should be cold and at low pressure. Avoid putting their whole body under a cold shower or in a cold bath as it could induce hypothermia.
Should I cool the burn first for 10 minutes or go straight to hospital?
Cool the burn under cold running water immediately and for at least 10 minutes. If you think the burn is severe enough for medical assistance, call 999 while you are cooling the burn. Continue to cool the burn until the ambulance arrives.
If clothes are stuck to the burn, should I try to remove them?
No, don’t try to remove anything that is stuck to the burn as it may cause more damage. You can remove clothing that is near the burn but not stuck to it.
What should I do if the burn is still painful after I have cooled it for ten minutes and covered it with cling film?
Burns will often be painful even after cooling them. You can give an appropriate dose of painkillers (paracetamol-based syrup) and reassure them to help them remain calm. Applying a soothing gel such as the Savlon Advanced Healing Gel will also help. Always seek medical advice for a baby or child who has been burned.
How do I know when to go to hospital?
If a baby or child has been burnt, seek medical advice, making sure you cool their burn for at least 10 minutes first. Even small burns can be potentially life-threatening to a baby or child, so always seek medical advice by calling 111 or 999 if you think the burn is serious enough.
Choking in children over 1 years old
Young children will often put objects in their mouth, as it’s their natural way of exploring the world around them.
You should always keep small objects such as buttons, coins or batteries out of reach of children but sometimes, it doesn’t matter how careful you are, small enquiring hands will find something that they shouldn’t and swallow it. If you suspect that your child is choking, follow the next three steps in order:
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If back blows do not dislodge the object, move on to step 2. Back blows create a strong vibration and pressure in the airway, which is often enough to dislodge the blockage. Dislodging the blockage will allow them to breathe again.
Abdominal thrusts squeeze the air out of the lungs and may dislodge the blockage.
Continue with cycles of back blows and abdominal thrusts until the blockage dislodges, help arrives or the child becomes unresponsive. If you can’t call 999, get someone else to do it.
Choking - FAQs
How hard should the back blows be?
You should change the force of the back blows depending on the size of the child. Be much gentler with a smaller child than with a larger child. The force you use to deliver the back blows should also be relative to your own strength. The back blows need to be hard enough to dislodge the blockage.
How will I know that the blockage has definitely cleared?
On most occasions, you will see it coming out of their mouth and the child will start to breathe again. You can also ask them if they are feeling better and they will let you know whether the blockage has cleared or not.
Is it a good idea to give a choking child a glass of water or something to eat?
No, it’s not a good idea as it will not dislodge the blockage and may make the situation worse by causing a further blockage.
What happens if the blockage goes down into the lung rather than coming out of the mouth?
This can be dealt with in the hospital. It’s not ideal, but the important thing is that the airway is clear so the child can breathe again.
Should I try to pull the object out with my fingers?
Do not put your finger into their mouth if you cannot see an object. You risk pushing any blockage further down or damaging the back of the throat, which could swell and cause further harm.
However, if you can clearly see an object in a child’s mouth and you are able to pluck it out safely with your fingertips, you could do so.
What should I do if a child becomes unconscious and stops breathing?
If a child becomes unconscious and stops breathing normally or stops breathing completely you will need to begin CPR.
If a child is choking, should I hold them upside down by their feet?
No, this is not effective. You may cause further injury if you happen to drop them. The action of tipping them upside down may also move the object further down their throat.
Discovery of an unconscious child who IS breathing
If a child is not moving and does not respond when you call them or gently shake their shoulders, they are unresponsive.
This can be very scary but do your best to stay calm and call 999. Whilst you wait for an ambulance, follow the next important three steps:
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- Tilting the child’s head back opens their airway by pulling the tongue forward.
- If they are breathing normally, you will see their chest moving and you may hear their breath or feel it on your cheek.
- If they are breathing normally, move on to step two.
- Remember we don’t want to hear any gasping, gurgling or rasping sounds, this is not NORMAL BREATHING.
- Putting them on their side with their head tilted back helps keep the airway open. It ensures their tongue falls forward any fluid drains out.
- This will help the child to continue to breathe.
- Do ensure you stay with them and continue to monitor their breathing as things can change quickly.
- If you can’t call 999, get someone else to do it.
- While waiting for the ambulance, talk to the child and reassure them.
- Make sure their head remains tilted back.
Discovery of an unconscious child who IS NOT breathing
if a child is not moving and does not respond when you call them or gently shake their shoulders, they are unresponsive.
This can be very scary but do your best to stay calm and call 999. Whilst you wait for an ambulance, follow the next important three steps:
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- Tilting the child’s head back opens the airway by pulling the tongue forward.
- If they are not breathing, their chest and stomach will not be moving and you will not hear or feel their breaths.
- If they are not breathing or you hear or see ABNORMAL breathing move on to step two.
- If you are on your own, call 999 after you’ve spent one minute giving them rescue breaths and chest compressions.
- Pinch the soft part of the nose closed, allowing the mouth to fall open.
- With the head still tilted, take a breath and put your mouth around the child’s, to make a seal.
- Blow into their mouth gently and steadily for up to one second, until the chest rises.
- Remove your mouth and watch the chest fall.
- That’s one rescue breath. Do this 5 times.
- By blowing into their mouth you are topping up the oxygen levels in their blood. The oxygen you give them helps to keep their organs alive
- Kneel by the child and put one hand in the centre of the child’s chest.
- Push down a third of the depth of the chest.
- Release the pressure allowing the chest to come back up.
- Repeat this 30 times at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. The beat of the song ‘Nellie the Elephant’ can help you keep the right rate.
- By doing these chest compressions you are acting as the heart by keeping blood pumping around their body, helping keep the vital organs alive, including the brain. If you are small or the child is large, you may need to use two hands.
Keep alternating 30 compressions with two breaths (30:2) until:
- Emergency help arrives and takes over
- The child starts showing signs of life and starts to breathe normally
- A defibrillator is ready to be used
Download & keep this guide to stay prepared
We have put all of this information into a booklet for you to refer to next time a mishap happens. Print it off and keep it within your first aid kit for ease or have a look through our Savlon Guides to learn more!
Explore the Savlon range
Life should be lived to the fullest and enjoyed. And if mishaps happen along the way Savlon is always by your side.
Savlon Antiseptic Cream
Cleanse your skin and help prevent infection.
Savlon Scar Prevention Gel
Promotes faster healing and helps reduce the likelihood of scarring.
Savlon Antiseptic and Pain Relief Gel
Relieves pain and helps prevent infection.
Savlon Bites & Stings Pain Relief Gel
Relief from insect bites and stings.