First Aid for Children
Accidents still happen in everyday life even under supervision. Most of them occur at home. Quick and thoughtful action is then required. You can learn which emergency measures to apply, when and how, in a first aid course for children. These are available specifically for toddlers and infants.
Many parents start to hyperventilate just at the thought of an emergency. The fear of getting into a critical or even life-threatening situation is great. Therefore, first aid courses are generally recommended. They give parents a certain amount of security and more self-confidence. You can read here how to avoid accidents, what should be in a home first aid kit, and which measures help with minor emergencies.
Precautionary Measures
Preventing Fall Hazards
More than half of all accidents involving children are caused by falls. Especially dangerous is falling out of a window. Never let your children play unsupervised on the balcony, and even when airing out rooms, keep an eye on them. Do not leave climbing aids near windows or balcony railings. Secure balcony railings as best as possible and, if necessary, also windows and balcony doors. Children very often fall from changing tables, sofas, or beds. No matter how small the baby is, never leave them alone on the changing table and always keep one hand on the child. In an emergency, place the child on the floor or take them with you if someone rings the doorbell or you get distracted. Also secure the stairs inside the house.
Other Hazards in Your Own Home
Make your home childproof. This includes securing electrical outlets, securing the stove or mainly cooking on the back burners. Place hot drinks, pots, and food out of children’s reach. Never leave dangerous objects and substances lying around, such as scissors, knives, batteries, medications, cleaning agents, alcohol, lighters. Remove poisonous plants from the garden. And keep an eye on traffic; children usually cannot yet assess the dangers on the street. The key here is to set a good example. https://www.verkehrswacht-medien-service.de/grundschule/kinder-im-strassenverkehr/
Teaching Children First Aid
It is advisable to educate children about dangers from an early age. From about 4 years old, you can also explain the basics of emergency care. Getting help, calling emergency services, applying bandages, and dressing wounds are procedures children can learn. The initiative Trau dich! from the BRK is great for this https://jrk-bayern.de/trau-dich
With our howa pediatric doctor’s kit, children learn first emergency measures playfully and develop social skills.
Home First Aid Kit and Emergency Bag for On the Go
The home first aid kit should contain: gauze bandages, compresses, band-aids, something for warming (cherry pit or grain pillow; for older children a hot water bottle also works), cold packs, digital thermometer, fever syrup or suppositories, zinc ointment, healing wool for diaper rash, Osanit for teething, stomach and intestinal tea, sage tea, healing clay, tweezers or tick card.
What you should ideally always have with you: band-aids, wound spray, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
Which First Aid Measures Help Children and When to Call Emergency Services
What to do if your baby or toddler has swallowed or inhaled an object can be read here:
https://www.kindernotfall-bonn.de/verschlucken-ersticken/
Falls, Scrapes, Bruises, Bone Fractures
Clean and dress open wounds. If there is a visible fracture (bone misalignment), call emergency services. Cooling helps reduce swelling and bruising in case of bruises and fractures. If you suspect a fracture or if there is severe pain, go to the nearest pediatrician, hospital, or call emergency services.
Head Injuries
For head injuries without an open wound, first cool the area. Dizziness, vomiting, persistent crying, slurred speech, and other unusual signs are warning signs of a concussion. When in doubt, always see a doctor or go to the hospital immediately.
Burns/Scalds
For small burns, cool the wound under running water. For larger burns, call emergency services.
Poisonings
In case of poisoning, call the relevant poison control center:
Berlin: 030 19240
Bonn: 0228 19240
Erfurt: 0361 730730
Freiburg: 0761 19240
Göttingen: 0551 19240
Homburg: 06841 19240
Mainz: 06131 19240
Munich: 089 19240
Drowning
Babies and toddlers must never be left unattended while bathing. Therefore, secure swimming pools, paddling pools, rain barrels, and garden ponds. Toddlers do not lift their heads if they fall face-first into the water; they usually remain stiff like a board in shock and drown even in very shallow water. Children should learn to swim as early as possible.
In an emergency: rescue the child and get help. If the child is unconscious and not breathing, start resuscitation. Perform 30 chest compressions, 2 breaths, and repeat until the child breathes on their own or help arrives.
Insect Stings
For bee or wasp stings, cool the sting site or apply half an onion. Stings are usually painful but not dangerous unless the child has an allergic reaction. Then it can lead to breathing difficulties up to an allergic shock. In that case, call emergency medical services.
The 5 Ws When Calling Emergency Number 112
Where? Exact accident location with address and name
Who is calling? Give name, location, phone number
What happened? Briefly describe the event, fire, fall, traffic accident…
Whow many affected? Exact number or estimate. Condition of those affected, for children the approximate age and type of injury.
Wait for questions
Important: Stay calm when giving first aid to children. Only those who can think calmly and clearly can help. Make sure not to put yourself in danger and help emergency responders find the accident site.
