Don’t wait until an accident happens to your child to learn first aid. Learn how to deal with emergencies now, says Lisa Salmon.

ACCIDENTS will happen – and unfortunately, they happen more in the rough and tumble world of a child. In fact, one in four UK parents will have to deal with a children’s medical emergency, yet 81 per cent of them don’t know how to give basic first aid to a baby or a child.

New research by Tesco Baby and Toddler Club has found that 72 per cent of parents wouldn’t feel confident in administering first aid, and 60 per cent would worry they’d do something wrong. That fear of getting it wrong is hardly surprising when you consider how many myths there are about first aid.

The belief in myths, such as putting butter on a burn or tipping a child’s head back during a nosebleed, and parents’ lack of first aid knowledge, is something the British Red Cross is hoping to tackle with the help of the current Tesco Baby and Toddler Club BabySafe campaign.

The initiative offers free, basic first aid training to parents and carers through a series of online videos and Twitter chats. In them, Red Cross experts will teach lifesaving skills to help deal with bumps to the head, falls, meningitis, burns, choking and unconsciousness.

Joe Mulligan, head of first aid education at the British Red Cross, says: “Everyone knows that first aid is important, but many parents don’t want to think that their child will be involved in an emergency situation.

“Little people will take risks – it’s a natural part of their development, and things will occasionally go wrong and they’ll get hurt. A parent is usually the first person there if an accident occurs, and all of the data tells us the actions of the first person on the scene is absolutely key in terms of a positive outcome, so it’s paramount that parents have the knowledge and confidence to administer first aid.”

Mulligan says it’s a common myth that it’s best to do nothing until trained help arrives. “Basic first aid action after you’ve called an ambulance is vital. In the vast majority of cases, doing nothing is not an option, and you don’t need any special equipment at all to help.”

Stressing that first aid isn’t complicated or clinical, and most of it is common sense, Mulligan points out that knowledge of how to treat a nosebleed, burns, choking, and bumps to the head are key areas for parents. He says that many parents go for expensive items they have bought on the high street in a bid to deal with emergencies, forgetting that often it’s common-sense measures that work best.

For example, if a child has a high temperature caused by an infection, parents may immediately give a paracetamol-based syrup without taking practical steps as well, such as removing the child’s clothing and opening the window to allow cool air to circulate.

“Practical first aid can go out of the window in an emergency, and that’s why the Red Cross wants to put first aid in a practical, easy to understand way,” explains Mulligan. “We know that if we educate people in a way that’s relevant to their everyday lives, in an emergency they’ll be able to recall the skills and know what to do.”

He says the BabySafe campaign means parents can log on and seek advice or clarification at any time.

“Parents are extremely busy people, and we’re increasingly looking at new routes by which we can reach them so they can get the benefit of knowing first aid, or refreshing their knowledge,” he says.

“Often people only make an effort to learn first aid when they’ve had a near-miss. We’d much prefer it if they learned before something goes wrong with their child.”

Basic children's first aid

• Burns should be placed under cold running water for at least ten minutes to reduce pain, speed recovery and reduce scarring. Then wrap cling film around it. Applying anything to the burn should not be considered until the wound has been cooled in this way. Ice should not be applied, as this may cause a cold burn as well.

• Nosebleeds should be treated by pinching the soft part of the nose and tilting the head forward. The common myth of tilting the head backwards would make the blood run down the back of the throat, which could make the child feel sick.

• Choking should be treated with up to five back blows to dislodge the object in the throat, rather than hanging a child upside down, which could be risky for the child.

• Minor head injuries should be carefully monitored, as there may be a delayed onset of symptoms. A bag of ice wrapped in a tea towel can be applied to a bump to help reduce swelling.

• If a child is breathing, but unconsciousness, this should be dealt with by putting them in the recovery position by rolling them on their side and tilting their head back.

To view BabySafe first aid information, visit tesco-baby.com

Ask The Expert: Should I put my daughter on the pill?

Q “My 14-year-old daughter has asked me if she can go on the pill, and I don’t know what to do. If I say yes, I feel like I’m allowing her to have underage sex, but if I say no, I’m worried she’ll get pregnant or catch something. What’s the best thing to do?”

A Paul Casey, FPA (Family Planning Association) training manager, says: “Although it may seem daunting, this is an excellent opportunity to open up a dialogue about relationships and sex that can have a lasting positive impact on your daughter’s health.

“Say that you’re pleased she’s come to talk to you about this, and ask her what’s making her consider using the pill – she may have heard that one of her friends is using it as a way of treating acne and wants this for herself, so it’s best to check.

“Talk about safe and healthy relationships generally, and gently remind your daughter that the legal age of consent in the UK is 16, but that teenagers who consent are unlikely to be prosecuted.

“Ask who she’s planning to have sex with, and explain that you’re asking questions because you want to make sure she’d be with someone safe.

“Get some information about the 15 different forms of contraception available from fpa.org.uk/helpand advice/contraception, and remind her that only condoms protect against STIs (sexually transmitted infections).

“Use fpa.org.uk/helpandadvice/findaclinic to find your nearest young people’s sexual health clinic, and remind your daughter that she’s entitled to see a doctor and get advice and treatment without your consent, but you hope that she would continue to discuss this with you.”