First Aid
For
Children
First Aid
Knowing basic first aid skills will prepare you to help others who are injured or
ill. Know Emergency Telephone Numbers!
First Aid Guidelines:
 Be Calm
 Stay in control of yourself and the situation
 Assess the situation
 Reassure the victim
 If necessary, call for help
Injury Prevention
Injuries occur everywhere. Most injuries occur in the kitchen or the bathroom.
Areas that have not been child proofed are dangerous. Injuries are the leading cause of
death in children under age 5.
Reasons Children Get Hurt:
 Sitter isn’t watching child
 The Child doesn’t understand the danger
 The child is showing off
 The child is moving too fast to be in control
Watch the Child
 _____________________________________
Watch for Dangers!!!
Ill Children
You can suspect that a child might be sick if:
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The child tells you that he doesn’t feel well
The child’s behavior changes
The child becomes irritable, sleepy, or cranky
The child is coughing, pulling on his ear, or refuses to eat
If you think the child is sick, call the parents or an adult.
Seizures: Seizures occur when the electrical activity of the brain becomes irregular.
This may occur with high fever, injury, disease, or infection. Do not hold or restrain the
child’s movements. Move any objects from area that may harm the child. Call parent or
911.
Types of Injuries
Wounds are any injury to the skin or tissue and usually hurt. Injuries include:
 Scrapes: Scrapes, a superficial break of the skin, are the most
common injury. They typically result from a fall and may be
painful.
 Cuts: Usually caused by a sharp object (broken glass, knife).
Cuts bleed freely.
 Punctures: Caused by a pointed object (nail, splinter, pencil,
lollipop stick).
 Animal bites: Medical help is needed. Call the parent or an
adult.
Treating Injuries
Proper assessment and treatment of an injury should begin immediately.
Bleeding injury:
 If bleeding a lot, control bleeding by applying direct pressure on the wound with a
sterile gauze pad or clean cloth. Elevate injured part above the heart and call an
adult.
 If bleeding is controlled by direct pressure, clean with soap and water, put on
sterile dressing, and bandage firmly to protect wound.
 If it is a small amount of bleeding – clean the wound and surrounding area with
soap and water. Apply a band-aid to the clean wound.
 Wash hands after treating the child.
Nosebleeds:
Nosebleeds are fairly common in children. Injury, dry air, allergies, and colds can cause
them. Treatment:
 Have the child sit down, with head tilted forward.
 Pinch the nose shut
 Have child rest quietly since walking, laughing, or blowing the nose can make the
bleeding start again.
Head Injury:
Head injuries can be very serious. Always have child use proper protective and safety
equipment. Keep an eye on the child at all times!
Burns:
Burns are injuries from heat, chemicals, or electricity. Some causes of burns are:
careless use of matches, hot stove, fireplaces, and scalds from hot water and other
liquids, and the sun.
Prevention of burns: Keep children away from hot surfaces. Do not let children
near electrical outlets. Always shake and test warm baby bottle before giving it to a
baby, and use sun screen before playing outside.
 First degree burns - are a redness of skin, mild swelling and pain. To treat a first
degree burn Apply cool, wet cloth or immerse in cool water. DO NOT use ice.
Blot gently; apply bandage loosely. DO NOT put butter, ointment or medication
on a burn.
 Second degree burns – are a deep burn with red or blotchy appearance, may
have blisters and will be painful. To treat Call an adult. Wash chemicals on the
skin with lots of water. Apply dry dressing and bandage loosely. NEVER break
blisters.
 Third degree burns- are very deep, and the skin will appear black or white.
However, third degree burns are sometimes not painful. This is a medical
emergency – call 911.
Bee Stings and Allergic Reactions
Some people have severe allergic reactions to insect bites or stings, foods, and
medications. Check with parents if the child has any allergies. A severe allergic
reaction usually happens quickly. Symptoms may include: pain, itching and hives.
There may be difficulty breathing as well as swelling of the faces. This can become a
REAL emergency.
Prevention: If child has a food allergy, know what the child is permitted to eat and don’t
give them anything else. Always wear shoes while outdoors.
Treatment:
 If emergency, Call 911
 If a child has an EpiPen. Use it if needed.
 If child gets a bee sting but no severe reaction. Immediately remove stinger by
gently scraping with an object like a credit card. Wash area with soap and water.
Put cool cloth on sting. Call an adult.
Fractures
Fractures are cracked, chipped or broken bones. Symptoms: sharp pain and sometimes
there is deformity, swelling, and often decreased ability to move.
Treatment:
 Do Not Move the injured part. Assume it is broken.
 Call the parent or an adult
Poison
If an infant or child swallows a harmful substance, call the national Poison
Center Hotline 1-800-222-1222
Then Call 911 for emergency help.
Over half of all poisonings occur in children over 5 years old. Where in the
house are most poisons found?
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Bathroom-cleaning supplies, medicines, vitamins, toothpaste
Kitchen – cleaning supplies, medicines
Bedroom – perfume, medicine, makeup
Garage – gasoline, car products, lighter fluid, pool cleaning supplies
Basement or laundry room – detergents, cleaning supplies