When is the recovery position advised?
The recovery position is essential when a casualty is unconscious and breathing normally. It is a sensible way of positioning someone to allow the tongue to flop forward and any fluids to drain out, ensuring they do not enter the airway. If the casualty stops breathing normally at any time, or demonstrates agonal breathing, you should start CPR.
Professor Keith Porter (Professor of Clinical Traumatology) has developed a further option that makes it easier for one person to roll someone into the recovery position with minimal movement of their spine.

The recovery postion with a spinal injury
NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) estimate that approximately 700 people sustain a new spinal cord injury each year in the UK.  In the UK there are currently 40,000 people living with long term disabilities as a result of such injuries.

Helping the casualty to maintain a clear airway is critical and takes priority over any suspected spinal injury, as if their airway is blocked they are unable to breathe. Therefore, to maintain an open airway, anyone who is unconscious and breathing, should be rolled onto their side into the recovery position. Spinal injuries can be unstable and it is vital that in moving the casualty, you don’t cause further damage to the spinal cord.  If there are multiple people able to assist, then supporting the head and neck, and log rolling the casualty may be a better approach to minimise movement to their spine. However, if you are on your own, Professor Porter’s alternative approach is simple and effective. 

It is incredibly important to keep the spine in line and avoid them twisting. It is vital to keep checking the casualty is breathing.

Benefits of the new recovery position for suspected spinal injuries:

1. Reduces risk of movement to spine and inducing paralysis
2. Easier for a solo first aider to perform

How to do it:
Check out this film from First Aid For Life:
​youtu.be/-fbLFE4X3gE

World First Aid Day was introduced by the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement in 2000. It is a global opportunity to raise public awareness of how first aid can save lives in everyday and crisis situations.  In recognition of this day here are:

10 Powerful Reasons To Learn First Aid

1 – First aid saves lives
Basic first aid can mean the difference between life and death. A Red Cross survey showed a staggering 59% of deaths from injuries would have been preventable had first aid been given before the emergency services arrived.

2 – First aid can speed your recovery
First aid can have a huge impact on someone’s chances of recovery, and can mean the difference between them having a short term or more permanent disability.

3 – First aid reduces time in hospital
Early intervention with first aid can reduce the length of time the patient needs to stays in hospital.

4 – First aid prevents medical situations deteriorating
Knowing the basics of first aid can prevent a bad situation from getting worse. Consider a patient who is bleeding from a deep cut. Without intervention, the patient could suffer severe blood loss. By applying pressure using simple first aid techniques, you can prevent a medical emergency from rapidly deteriorating and stabilise the patient until further medical help arrives.

5 – First aid can reduce unnecessary visits to hospital
Not every accident ends up in hospital but still needs medical attention. Some injuries such as a bumped head, bruised knee or sprained ankle can be managed at home with basic first aid. First aid training also teaches you to prioritise injuries, giving the most seriously injured or ill the very best chance. As well as equipping you with the knowledge to establish whether someone needs further care and whether that care should be given by the GP, at a hospital or needs immediate paramedic intervention.

6 – Competent first aid can often reduce the amount of pain experienced by casualties
Knowing how to respond helps you stay calm in an emergency situation. Staying calm allows you to provide emotional support to the patient and help prevent them from panicking – which can often be a very effective form of pain relief. In addition, knowing how to physically move someone in pain, support their injuries and administer appropriate bandaging and dressings can also greatly reduce the amount of pain they experience.

7 – Crucial communication for the emergency services
Staying with the patient until the emergency services arrive to take over means you can convey vital information about how the patient sustained the injury or information about their condition. This information is vital to the emergency services for the effective treatment of the patient and can also aid the patient’s treatment and recovery.

8 – First aid increases awareness and reduces your susceptibility to accidents
Learning first aid and becoming alert to potential hazards and medical issues increases our health awareness and allows us to take better care of ourselves, our friends and families. It creates resilient communities and relieves pressure on healthcare services.

9 – First aid makes you feel empowered
Learning first aid will give you the confidence to act appropriately when an accident occurs. It is vitally important to deal with any life-saving injuries before reaching for the phone to call for an ambulance.
It is also very useful to know when and if to move someone following an accident and when they should be kept still.

10 – Be prepared for anything
None of us know what the future has in store for us or for our loved ones. Sudden illness such as heart attack, stroke, severe bleeding and breathing difficulties require immediate attention, which after a course, you will be well equipped to provide. First aid also equips you to deal with bleeding, burns, breathlessness, bites, shocks stings, splints and fainting so whatever medical situation life throws at you, you can respond effectively.

Adapted from a post written by Emma Hammett First Aid for Life. 11/09/2019

Weaning your baby from breast milk or formula to solid foods can be a daunting process.  Creating a baby weaning plan is the first step and you will want to ensure that you feel confident in keeping your baby safe from harm whilst introducing the infant to solid foods.   In fact 24 babies choke to death each year in England and Wales and it is the third most common cause of death for babies.
 
Whilst you shouldn’t be alarmed, you should equip yourself with as much information as possible in order to reduce the chances of choking.  You should also learn how to help if your baby does choke.  You should make sure you’re aware of the signs of choking, which are different to the signs of gagging.
 
According to a survey by St John Ambulance in the UK, 40% of parents have witnessed their own baby choke, yet over 80% of these parents had no idea what to do in such a situation.  This is an alarming statistic and certainly a good incentive to book yourself on a first aid class!
 
So, here is a comprehensive guide that should keep you and your baby safe:
 
A learning process
Even though eating solids is natural and instinctive behaviour to us, it is – like walking – a process that babies must learn gradually.  It can be helpful to remember that your baby is learning to regulate the amount of food they can chew and swallow at a time.
 
Gagging
Gagging is part of the weaning learning curve for babies.  Don’t be alarmed if your baby is gagging, it is a normal reflex as they learn to eat solids and liquids.  The physical effect of gagging is to:

• Bring the food back into the mouth
• Chew it further
• Consume it once more but in a smaller amount

Although it may seem alarming, gagging is actually a safety mechanism designed to prevent choking.
It happens whether you follow the spoon-fed weaning method or baby-led weaning.
 
The signs of gagging are:

• Watering eyes
• Tongue hanging out of the mouth
• Retching movements or even vomiting

Gagging can be caused by an overload of food, a dislike of the taste of food, or some babies even gag on their own fingers just to see how far they can put things in their mouths.  Babies also gag on liquids as they learn the rhythm of sucking.
Gagging is often a noisy affair.  It can be frustrating to see the food you’ve prepared for your baby be spat and retched out, but remember this is a normal and healthy part of the weaning process.
 
Choking
Choking occurs when food blocks the airway.  Rather than going down the food pipe (oesophagus) – it goes down the breathing tube (trachea) instead.  Usually when we eat or drink and swallow – the epiglottis covers the top of the trachea (wind pipe) and stops food from entering it.  Sometimes, particularly if talking, laughing or crying whilst eating, the flap of the epiglottis is unable to protect the trachea and enables food to enter.
 
The body’s reflex if this happens is to cough, to eject the food.  However, if the airway becomes completely blocked the person is unable to cough and is silent.  This is extremely serious and without help, they could die.
 
To prevent choking:

• Cut food into very small pieces
• Puree or blend foods, especially at the beginning of the weaning process
• Discourage older children from sharing food with babies
• Supervise children and babies when eating together

Meal planner
These tips will help you prepare safe meals for your baby.  There are many online meal planners you can use to help you feed your baby both healthily and safely.

• Cut small round foods (grapes, cherry tomatoes) into small pieces. Sticks or batons rather than circles is a good rule to follow.
• Peel fruit, vegetables and sausages.
• Remove pips or stones from fruit.
• Remove bones from meat or fish.
• Avoid hard foods such as raw carrot, apple, whole nuts and peanuts.
• Ensure your baby is sitting up in their high chair and always supervise their meal times.

 
Choking – the signs
Babies have sensitive gag reflexes and often appear to struggle when trying new food textures and this can be frightening.  The majority of the time they manage to clear the obstruction themselves, repositioning them with their head lower than their body can help.
 
Keep as calm as you can as babies quickly pick up on panic and this can make things worse.  If they are able to cough, encourage them to do so. If they are quiet and struggling to breathe, help immediately.
 
Choking – how to help

• Stay as calm as you can
• If they are able to cough, reposition them to see if they can clear it themselves
• Have a quick look in the baby’s mouth and carefully remove anything obvious. NEVER blindly sweep inside the baby’s mouth with your fingers as it can cause damage and push the obstruction further down
• Lay the baby downwards across your forearm, supporting under their chin
• With your hand hit the baby up to 5 times firmly between their shoulder blades
• Check after each back blow to see if the obstruction has cleared
• If still choking; lay the baby on its back across your knees, head downwards. Place two fingers in the centre of their chest at the nipple line, and give up to five, firm upward chest thrusts
• If the baby is still choking, call 112 and continue giving baby five back blows, alternated with five chest thrusts, until help arrive
• If the baby becomes unconscious start CPR immediately

To see how this works in practice then check out: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oswDpwzbAV8

Even better sign up for a First Aid Class where you can actually practice these skills!  

​Adapted from a post by Emma Hammett at https://firstaidforlife.org.uk/ Kate Ellwood (July 2019)
​LifeFirst provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. LifeFirst is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information. It is strongly advised that you attend a First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.

When someone's drowning, it may not look like the violent, splashing call for help that most people expect from watching TV. When someone’s actually drowning, they won’t able to make any noise, so can easily go unnoticed, even if friends or family are nearby.

Drowning is when someone is unable to breathe because their nose and mouth are submerged in water, or in another liquid.  Babies are particularly vulnerable to drowning incidents, even in wading pools because they sometimes don't have enough strength to pick up their heads.  So, to keep your family safe this summer:

​Drowning prevention – what you need to know

1. Children should be supervised in the water at all times. Don’t rely on older children to supervise
2. It’s not just young children who are at risk. Older children and teens can get into trouble, especially while ‘wild’ swimming. Strong currents, deep water and objects lurking under the water are unlikely to be obvious
3. Don’t assume that because a child can swim, they will be safe
4. Drowning happens silently! As drowning occurs, the instinctive drowning response means that a child is unable to speak or to control their arm movements, and they slip quietly under the water – it’s a myth that they splash about, shout or scream 
5. Don’t rely on lifeguards – provision, training and legislation varies in different countries, and lifeguards may have other duties
6. Even if you’ve taken steps to make your garden or environment safe, children have drowned after wandering into neighbouring gardens. Be mindful of this at home and on holiday
7. Research shows the most common times for children to drown on holiday are the first and the last days – don’t let your guard down at any time
8. Empty paddling pools when they’re not in use 
9. At the beach, wind blowing off the land can make the sea look flat, calm and safe but it can easily sweep inflatables quickly out to sea, and children will be tempted to go after them
10. Finally, expect children to do unexpected things. They can’t be relied on to keep themselves safe, even if they say they can!

​Someone is drowning:
If someone is unconscious in water, get them out as quickly as possible but never put yourself in danger!   The Drowning Chain of Survival is a “call action” and is simple to follow:



​



​

• Once the person is on dry land, turn them on their back, tilt their head and lift the chin to open the airway
• Ask someone to call 112 for medical help
• If the person is unresponsive and not breathing, give them five initial rescue breaths before starting CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
• If there is a defibrillator available, use it immediately
• Keep giving CPR until help arrives, the casualty regains responsiveness, or you’re too exhausted to keep going
• If they start to breathe and regain consciousness swiftly put them into the recovery position, treat them for hypothermia by covering them with warm clothes and blankets.  If they recover completely, replace their wet clothes with dry ones
• Keep checking breathing, pulse and level of response until help arrives

IMPORTANT: Anyone who has been in a near-drowning situation should be checked by a doctor as secondary drowning can occur many hours later.

For further advice on drowning and taking your child swimming: 
www.rospa.com/leisure-safety/water/advice/taking-children-swimming/
www.capt.org.uk/drowning

Kate Ellwood  26/06/2019 
​
​Life First provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. Life First is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information. It is strongly advised that you attend a First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.

If a lithium coin cell battery gets stuck in a child’s food pipe, it can cause catastrophic internal bleeding and death within hours of being swallowed.

Button batteries, especially big, powerful lithium coin cell batteries, can badly injure or kill a child if they are swallowed and get stuck in the food pipe.  Button batteries are small, round batteries that come in many different sizes and types. Lithium button batteries (often called ‘coin batteries’ or ‘coin cell batteries’) are most dangerous as they are larger and more powerful.

So, it’s important to keep spare and ‘dead’ lithium coin cell batteries and any objects with easily accessible lithium coin cell batteries out of children’s reach, and to act fast if you think your child may have swallowed one.

Children most at risk are between 1 and 4 years, but younger and older children can also be at risk.

Why are button batteries dangerous?
Most button batteries pass through the body without a problem. But if a button battery - particularly a lithium coin cell battery - gets stuck in the food pipe, energy from the battery reacts with saliva to make the body create caustic soda. This is the same chemical used to unblock drains!  This can burn a hole through the food pipe and can lead to catastrophic internal bleeding and death. The reaction can happen in as little as two hours.  Button batteries are also dangerous if they get stuck in a child’s nose or ear.

The size and power of the button battery and the size of the child matter. With a large, powerful lithium coin cell battery – for example a 3V CR2025 or CR2032 – and a small child, the risks are greatest.

Where do children find button batteries?
Typically, children find spare batteries in a drawer, get hold of ‘flat’ batteries that have fallen onto the floor or down the sofa, or take batteries from products like gaming headsets, car key fobs or slim audio visual remote controls.
Spare batteries
Products may come with a spare lithium coin battery in a small plastic bag.  When you buy replacement batteries, some are individually sealed in the pack and can only be removed with scissors.  But, with others, especially cheaper ones you buy online or in discount stores, once you open the pack, all the batteries come out and some may fall on the floor.  Spares often end up being stored in open containers or loose in a drawer.
‘Flat’ or ‘dead’ batteries
It’s not just fully charged lithium coin cell batteries that pose a risk.  Modern devices need a lot of power. When power levels drop, we think the battery is flat and discard it.  But, it can still have enough electrical charge left to badly injure a child.

Batteries in toys, gadgets and novelty items
Button batteries are used in an increasingly wide range of toys, novelty items, gadgets and other everyday objects you’ll find around the house.  Lots of these objects have buttons and surfaces that young children love to explore and play with.  Many are brightly coloured or otherwise appealing to children.  These include:

• robot bug or fish toys
• light-up head bands
• gaming headsets
• slim remote controls
• car key fobs
• key finders
• children’s thermometers
• kitchen or bathroom scales
• musical cards
• novelty items like singing Santas and flashing wands
• fitness trackers
• fidget spinners with LED lights
• 3D glasses
• flameless candles, nightlights and tea lights

Children’s toys
Batteries in children’s toys should either be enclosed by a screw and a secure compartment, or need two independent or simultaneous movements to open the battery compartment.  But, toys bought online or from markets, discount stores or temporary shops may not follow toy safety regulations.  And remember that older children may still be able to open secure battery compartments.

Who is at risk?

• Children are most at risk from 1 to 4 years, but younger and older children can also be at risk.
• Babies and toddlers are at particular risk as they explore the world by putting things in their mouths. Toddlers are naturally inquisitive and can be determined to explore and get into things.
• Older children can be fascinated by them too. In some cases, they may deliberately put one of these batteries in their mouth or on their tongue to experience the sensation of the electrical charge.

How big is the risk?
At least two children a year have died as a result of swallowing lithium coin cell batteries in the UK.
We don’t know how many children are taken to A&E, admitted to hospital or suffer life-changing injuries. 
In Australia, an estimated 4 children a week go to A&E with an injury related to a button battery.

How can I keep children safe?

• Keep all spare batteries in a sealed container in a high cupboard
• Keep products well out of children’s reach if the battery compartment isn’t secured
• Put ‘flat’ or ‘dead’ batteries out of children’s reach straight away and recycle them safely
• Avoid toys from markets, discount stores or temporary shops as they may not conform to safety regulations, and take care when buying online or from overseas
• Teach older children that button batteries are dangerous and not to play with them or give them to younger brothers and sisters

What situations have accidents already happened in?
Little exploring fingers have found lithium coin cell batteries when:

• A product is dropped and the battery falls out
• A battery is ‘flat’ and has been taken out and left on a worktop or table
• A packet of batteries is opened and the batteries spill out under the sofa or a cupboard
• Spare batteries are stored in an easy-to-reach drawer in the lounge or kitchen
• The button battery compartment of a toy or other device isn’t secured

There are NO OBVIOUS SYMPTOMS!
Unfortunately it is not obvious when a button battery is stuck in a child’s food pipe. There are no specific symptoms associated with this. The child may:

• cough, gag or drool a lot
• appear to have a stomach upset or a virus
• be sick
• point to their throat or tummy
• have a pain in their tummy, chest or throat
• be tired or lethargic
• be quieter or more clingy than usual or otherwise ‘not themselves’
• lose their appetite or have a reduced appetite
• not want to eat solid food / be unable to eat solid food

But these sorts of symptoms vary.  Plus, the symptoms may fluctuate, with the pain increasing and then subsiding.
One thing specific to button battery ingestion is vomiting fresh (bright red) blood.  If the child does this then seek immediate medical help. 
The lack of clear symptoms is why it is important to be vigilant with ‘flat’ or spare button batteries in the home and the products that contain them.

IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR CHILD HAS SWALLOWED A BUTTON BATTERY, ACT FAST!

• Take them straight to the A&E department at your local hospital or call 112 for an ambulance
• Tell the doctor there that you think your child has swallowed a button battery
• If you have the battery packaging or the product powered by the battery, take it with you. This will help the doctor identify the type of battery and make treatment easier
• Do not let your child eat or drink
• Do not make them sick
• Trust your instincts and act fast – do not wait to see if any symptoms develop

Adapted by Kate Ellwood from: www.capt.org.uk/button-batteries (24/06/2019) 
​Life First provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. Life First is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information. It is strongly advised that you attend a First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.

Most broken bones in children happen from a fall, in an accident or while playing sports.  A break or crack in a bone is called a fracture.

What Are the Kinds of Broken Bones?

In most cases the damage to the bone will be under the skin, which is called a closed fracture, but sometimes bits of the bone can puncture through the skin to become an open fracture.  In both cases you'll need to treat the person for shock.  Even if you can't see any blood, the break might have caused some internal bleeding.

To break a fully-grown bone, a huge amount of force is needed.  But bones that are still growing are supple and can split, crack or bend quite easily, a bit like a twig.  Types of bone fractures include:

• A greenstick fracture: a break on one side of the bone only
• A buckle or torus fracture: an outward bend on one side of the bone without breaking the other side
• An avulsion fracture: when a tendon or ligament pulls off of a tiny piece of bone
• A growth plate fracture: a break in the area of a child or teen's growing bone
• A stress fracture: a tiny crack in the bone
• A comminuted fracture: a bone breaks into more than two pieces
• A compression fracture: a collapsing of the bone

How do I know its broken? 

There are seven things to look for if you suspect a fracture:

1. Swelling, bruising, tenderness
2. Difficulty moving the injured part or hurts when moving, being touched, or bearing weight
3. Movement in an unnatural direction
4. A limb that looks shorter, twisted or bent
5. A grating noise or feeling
6. Loss of strength
7. Shock

If the break is small or it's just a crack, there may not be much pain or even realise that a bone has been broken.  No matter what part might be broken or how big or small the injury may seem, all broken bones need medical care. 

What to do when you suspect a fracture:

• Do not attempt to move or reposition the injured limb
• Apply an ice pack wrapped in cloth
• Encourage the person to support the injury with their hand or use a cushion or items of clothing to prevent unnecessary movement.  This should help relieve pain and prevent further damage
• Support the limb above and below the injury if possible
• Call 112 as soon as possible.  If you can’t call 112, get someone else to do it.
• Continue supporting the injury until help arrives
• If it is an open fracture, cover the wound with a sterile dressing and secure it with a bandage.  Apply pressure around the wound to control any bleeding.

While waiting for medical help to arrive:

• Keep checking the casualty for signs of shock.  This does not mean emotional shock, but is a life-threatening condition, often caused by losing blood.
• If they lose responsiveness at any point, open their airway, check their breathing and prepare to treat someone who’s become unresponsive 
• The injured person should not eat or drink in case surgery is required.

​ Call 112 Right Away If:

• You or someone else had a serious injury to the head, neck, or back.
• A broken bone comes through the skin.

​Suspected poisoning is one of the most common reasons for young children to be taken to A&E.  Did you know…?

• Child-resistant tops and strip and blister packs for tablets help to slow children down but they are not childproof.  Some 3-4 year olds can open them in seconds!

​

• Swallowing medicines, like everyday painkillers that you might keep in your handbag or bedside cabinet, is the most common way for children to be poisoned.

​

• The detergent capsules and concentrated liquids under the kitchen sink can harm children too – they can cause accidental poisoning but also squirt into the eyes and cause damage.  The capsules come in boxes that aren’t child-resistant.

​

• The chances of childhood poisoning increase when usual household routines are disrupted. For example, you might need to take extra care if your family has recently moved, is on holiday or is visiting friends.

​
Safety reminders – how to stop children from being poisoned

First steps
At around 6 months babies start to put things in their mouths, which means they are at risk of swallowing something harmful.  You can stop them from getting hold of poisonous things.
 
The best place to keep medicines is locked away or up high where your baby can’t come across them.  Fit safety catches on any low cupboard doors and drawers and make sure bottle tops and lids are on properly.

Don’t forget the painkillers in your handbag on the floor or the ones on the bedside table.

Before your baby starts to crawl and move around, move the cleaning products from around the toilet or under the kitchen sink into a high cupboard out of sight.

Look out for products that contain a bittering agent like Bitrex.  It tastes so horrible that it means that children are much more likely to spit the dangerous chemical out.

Remember, the newer liquid detergent capsules can be dangerous too - if children squeeze or bite them the liquid can squirt out.  Keep them stored safely away.

Toddlers
Toddlers love to explore and will copy what you do.  This means they are more at risk from poisoning than any other age group.  Here’s how to make sure your toddler stays safe from poisoning. 

Keeping your medicines and cleaning things locked up or out of reach and sight is the safest way to protect your toddler.  Ideally put them in a high lockable cupboard.  It’s best to keep them in a room which people use a lot.  That means if your child has climbed up on a chair or worktop and is exploring in cupboards they are more likely to be seen by an adult or brother or sister.

'Child resistant' caps are not 'child-proof'.  Some 3-4 year olds can open them in seconds, so make sure they're locked away too.

Toddlers like to copy what you do.  Try to take your medicine when your toddler isn’t watching.

Avoid pretending your child’s medicine is a sweet, even if it’s hard to get them to take it.  It can be confusing for your toddler.

When you’re visiting friends or relatives, take a few moments to look out for medicines or cleaning products lying around, like in Granny’s bedside table, so you’re not taken by surprise.

Even small amounts of alcohol can be harmful to small children, so clear up any glasses with alcohol dregs left in them.

Remember to be careful with aromatherapy oils, perfumes and cigarettes too as they can all be harmful to small children.
 
Young children
Children between 3 to 5 may know something about what they can safely eat, but they are still at risk from accidental poisoning.  They are much more likely to be able to open child-resistant tops too. 

Your child may easily be confused by colourful medicines that look like sweets.  So keep them locked safely away and in the original bottles.

Do the same with cleaning products, DIY or garden chemicals, whether they are kept in the house or the garden shed.

Plants in the garden can be confusing too.  Teach your child not to eat anything they pick outside. Poisonous berries can easily look like the ones they have in their pudding!

Medicine use and storage: specific tips

If your child or another family member needs to take medicine, there are some simple things you can do to minimise the risk of accidental poisoning or overdose:
​

• Read the label, dosage and instructions carefully when your child needs to take medicine. Double-check everything before you give your child the medicine. If you’re not sure about how much to give or for how long, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

​

• Avoid distractions when giving your child medicines. If possible, have a normal routine for giving or taking medicines. And always supervise your child while she’s taking medicine.

​

• Set up a ‘checking system’ with your child’s other caregivers to avoid giving your child double doses of medicine.

​

• Ask your pharmacist to put child-resistant caps on your medicines if they’re not already on the bottle. Make sure you always put the caps back on the bottles immediately and correctly after use.

​

• Clean out your medicine cupboard regularly. Get rid of unwanted and out-of-date medicines and other poisons. You can return unwanted medicines to your local pharmacist for safe disposal.

​

• Rinse empty medicine containers with water before you throw them out.

​

• Refer to medicines by their proper names, rather than calling them ‘special lollies’.

Carbon Monoxide
You can't see, smell or taste it but if but if carbon monoxide creeps out from flame burning appliances it can kill children in seconds. 

Make sure that you have an audible carbon monoxide alarm fitted in your home – ideally one in every room with a fuel-burning appliance. 

​

First Aid Burns treatment has previously been to hold the affected area under cool running water for at least ten minutes. This has changed, as of May 2019, the latest advice from an Australian research team at their national Centre for Children’s Burns – now adopted by the NHS, British Burn Association and more – is to extend the time that the burn should be treated to a full 20 minutes under cool running water. 
If you would like to read more then check out the post by Emma Hammett
https://onlinefirstaid.com/burns-how-to-treat-a-burn-lates…/

As much as we would like to wrap our children up in cotton wool we can't and bumps and bangs happen, often to their head.  What would you do if your child fell and banged their head?

​One key thing with head injuries is that it’s important to be able to determine between when you need to call 112, seek medical help or when you can care for them at home.   


Any knock to the head is considered a head injury and classified as either mild, moderate or severe.  Many head injuries are mild, and simply result in a small lump or bruise.  If your child doesn't have signs of a serious head injury and remains alert, moves normally and responds to you, the injury is probably mild and usually doesn't need further testing.  Mild head injuries can be managed at home, but if your child has received a moderate or severe injury to the head, they need to see a doctor.

Seek help immediately by calling an ambulance if:

• your child has had a head injury involving high speeds or heights greater than a metre, for example, car crashes, high-speed skateboard accidents or falling from playground equipment
• your child loses consciousness (passes out)
• your child seems unwell and vomits more than once after hitting their head.

Moderate to Severe Head Injury

Occasionally, a blow to the head may be severe enough to cause bleeding in or around the brain.  With a severe head injury they may have:

• a deteriorating level of response
• loss of responsiveness
• leakage of blood or blood-stained watery fluid from the ear or nose
• unequal pupil size
• been knocked out and has not woken up
• difficulty staying awake or keeping their eyes open
• a fit (seizure or convulsion)
• problems with their vision
• bleeding from their ears or bruising behind their ears
• numbness or weakness in part of their body
• problems with walking, balance, understanding, speaking or writing
• be dazed or shocked
• has something stuck in their head, or a cut causing bleeding that is difficult to stop, or a large bump or bruise on their head
• Vomit more than once
• In younger children if they do not cry straight after the knock to the head

Clearly if your child is experiencing any of these severe symptoms call 112​

If the head injury is bleeding heavily then apply pressure to the wound to stop or slow down the flow of blood and call 112. 

Mild Head Injury

A mild head injury or concussion is when your child:

• may display altered level of consciousness at the time of the injury
• is now alert and interacts with you
• may have vomited, but only once
• may have bruises or cuts on their head
• is otherwise normal.

You should seek medical advice if your child has any of the above symptoms of mild head injury, and you are worried about them. Otherwise, continue to observe your child for any of the signs and symptoms listed under care at home.

Care at home

If you do not need to go to hospital, you can usually look after your child at home.  Don't leave your child alone for the first 48 hours!  

To help recovery you can hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas in a tea towel) to the injury regularly for short periods in the first few days to bring down any swelling. 

​Children and adolescents with concussion can take up to four weeks to recover, but most concussions will get better on their own over several days.  Following a mild head injury, your child will need to get plenty of rest and sleep, particularly in the first 24 to 48 hours.

Your child may have a headache after a head injury. Give them paracetamol (not ibuprofen or aspirin) every six hours if needed to relieve pain.

There is no need to wake your child during the night unless you have been advised to do so by a doctor. Call an ambulance immediately if you have any difficulty waking your child.

Children who have had a head injury may develop symptoms at various times. Some of the symptoms may begin minutes or hours after the initial injury, while others may take days or weeks to show up.
 
If your child experiences any of the following symptoms, take them to the doctor or nearest hospital emergency department immediately:

• vomiting more than once
• bleeding or any discharge from the ear or nose
• fits/seizures/twitching/convulsions
• blurred or double vision
• poor coordination or clumsiness
• any new arm or leg weakness, or any existing weakness that gets worse or does not improve
• difficulty swallowing or coughing when eating or drinking
• sensitivity to noise
• slurred or unclear speech
• unusual or confused behaviour
• severe or persistent headache that is not relieved by paracetamol.

If your child has had a head injury, they should return to school and sport gradually. For moderate to severe head injuries, your doctor will advise you.

Can you let your baby or child go to sleep after a head injury?

YES - you can let them sleep if it is their normal time to sleep and they are not showing signs of serious head injury.  If they seem unusually drowsy they may have a serious head injury and you should seek urgent medical attention.

Cognitive fatigue

Cognitive fatigue is a common problem that can happen after a head injury. When a child has cognitive fatigue, it means their brain has to work harder to concentrate on tasks it used to be able to do easily, for example watching TV, playing computer games, or having a long conversation. Cognitive fatigue is not related to a child’s intellectual capacity or physical energy levels. It can lead to behavioural problems, mood swings and educational difficulties.  Your child may experience some or all of the following symptoms of cognitive fatigue:

• slowness when thinking, understanding and responding to questions or commands
• problems concentrating
• difficulties with memory
• difficulty thinking of the right words to say
• being more demanding than usual, and become easily frustrated
• being more fearful and anxious
• changed sleep patterns
• mood swings and irritability

If your child’s cognitive performance or behaviour is very different to normal, or it is getting worse, take them back to the doctor or your nearest hospital emergency department.
Children experiencing cognitive fatigue should have complete rest – for their brain and body. This means no watching TV or playing on mobile electronic devices. Allow your child to gradually return to reading and other activities that require periods of greater concentration or thinking.
​
Key points to remember!

• Head injuries can be mild, moderate or severe
• Call an ambulance if your child has had a head injury involving high speeds or heights, or if after a knock to the head they lose consciousness or vomit more than once
• Your child may develop a number of different symptoms in the weeks after a head injury. Many of these require immediate medical attention
• Children with cognitive fatigue need complete rest to recover

For more information:
www.headway.org.uk/about-brain-injury/individuals/types-of-brain-injury/minor-head-injury-and-concussion/ ​

​Life First provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. Life First is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information. It is strongly advised that you attend a First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.

Summer is just around the corner so time to give some thought to how you are going to protect your baby from the sun and heat. This article will provide clear information to enable you to make the best decisions in protecting your baby from sun and heat.

Is it safe for my baby to go out in the sun?
Whilst babies are under six months old, they are advised to be kept out of strong direct sunlight. Babies’ skin is much thinner than children or adults, so UV rays can cause sun damage in a very short space of time. Babies are also more susceptible to heat, thus increasing temperatures can make them seriously unwell and has been linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

• Risks

The two main concerns are:

1. Overheating.
2. Sunburn.

Sunburn at a young age has been demonstrably linked to a higher rate of skin cancer – a US study found that severe burns at a young age increased chances of melanoma (a form of skin cancer) by 80%.

• Timings

If possible, avoid going out during the hottest hours which are from 10am to 3pm.  This is because the UV levels and temperatures are highest during this time.

• Choose a breathable and UV protecting buggy cover

When travelling with the baby in a pram, ensure you have an adequate and safe cover, to protect your baby from the harmful UV rays whilst allowing:

• Easy accessibility to facilitate regular checks on your child and,
• Sufficient air circulation within the pram which will help regulate the temperature for your child.

The Lullaby Trust (www.lullabytrust.org.uk) has warned covering your pram or buggy with blankets (or cloths and covers) can lead to heat being trapped within the buggy and could cause your baby to dangerously overheat.  They recommend attaching a clip-on sunshade or parasol to a pram or buggy and checking if baby is getting too hot by feeling their tummy or the back of their neck. They advise to keep babies out of direct sunlight as much as possible.

• Can I use a parasol?

Parasols will not block air circulation, however they only shade a small area. The area they shade will shift as the sun moves or as you travel. This means your baby might suddenly be sitting in direct sunlight without you noticing. Also, not all parasols are UV resistant.

If you decide to use a parasol, ensure you choose a UV resistant version and that you consistently check that your baby remains shaded by the parasol.

• Can I use a muslin cloth?

Many parents choose to clip a muslin nappy across the buggy to shade their little one from the sun. This is not the worst solution, but muslin is not UV resistant so it cannot protect your baby from the sun’s most harmful rays.

• What’s the safest option?

My personal preference would be to use a buggy cover made of UV resistant but fully breathable material, that covers the whole opening of the buggy, but allows the air to circulate. The best of these have zips to enable the parents to quickly and easily check on their babies to ensure they are not getting too hot.

• Parking your buggy

Remember that the sun will move and so if you have parked your buggy in the shade, you need to continually check that your baby remains out of direct sunlight.

• Regular checks

It is important to regularly check on your baby to ensure they are not getting too hot. As babies are so sensitive to temperature, remember that even on overcast or lower temperature days, your baby could still overheat.  You should regularly:

1. Check if your baby is sweating.
2. Feel their tummy – it should be warm but not hot.
3. Check for flushed or red cheeks.
4. You could carry a thermometer with you. A specific baby digital thermometer can be purchased and should be used in the baby’s armpit or ear. A healthy temperature hovers around 36.4 degrees centigrade.

Further protection for your baby:
Babies over six months old can enjoy a limited amount of sunlight, providing they have been protected by the appropriate measures.

• Skin colour – Babies with very pale skins are most at risk from burning, however, babies with darker skin are still susceptible to sun damage and can burn.
• Shade – UV rays can still burn and overheat babies in the shade!

​Clothing:
Choose tight-weaved clothing that covers the baby’s whole body. Look for garments with a UPF of 50 which will block 98% of UV radiation. 

Choose wide-brimmed sun hats (not caps) which will cover your baby’s neck and ears too.

They should also wear sun glasses to protect their eyes. Sunglasses should meet the British Standard (BSEN 1836:2005) and carry the CE mark – check the label. This is because the UV rays can cause eye damage to a baby’s young eyes.
 
Sun Cream:
In the UK the general advice is that children under 6 months should not use sun cream.

Why?
Infants’ skin is thinner than adults, with a much thinner stratum corneum, the dead outermost skin layer. Therefore, an infant’s skin is less able to protect the body effectively against chemicals in sunscreen which could penetrate deeper into their skin, making newborn babies more vulnerable to allergic reactions such as contact dermatitis, inflammation or other harmful effects from chemical absorption. Newborn skin also lacks the film on the skin’s surface (known as the acid mantle) that protects the skin from bacteria viruses, and trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), a condition that can lead to dehydration. The lack of the acid mantle could leave babies more vulnerable to the chemicals in sunscreen.
 
Babies also have a higher surface area-to-body weight ratio than older children and adults. A baby’s body surface area is about four times the body surface area-to-weight ratio in adults, which gives a far greater body surface area and leaves them exposed to far greater penetration by chemicals. In adults, most sunscreen ingredients don’t get absorbed systemically into the bloodstream — and those that do are absorbed in tiny amounts. However, for babies this is far more likely.
 
In addition, babies could try and lick sun cream from their bodies causing it to be ingested. This is another reason the Skin Cancer Foundation (www.skincancer.org) recommends delaying the use of sunscreen until your baby is at least six months old.
There has been very little research undertaken on sunscreens for babies, most studies have been done on adults.
 
Using Sun Cream
If your baby has reached over six months of age, they should be wearing sun cream from around April to October (use your judgement to decide – they may need it as early as March, weather dependent).

Babies and young children are more prone to rashes than adults. One fifth of adults report skin irritation from sun cream, so it is important to:
1. Choose a sun cream designed for babies.
2. Test the cream first.

• Choose wisely

Choose a hypoallergenic sun cream specifically designed for babies.
You should choose a high factor (SPF 50). For children the NHS recommend at least a factor 15. It should have at least a four-star UVA and UVB protection rating. There are specific sun creams created for babies which you can buy.
Check the expiry date and discard when out of date.
Some brands offer tinted versions of sun cream so that you can see where you have put the product.

• Do a patch test

We would always recommend trying sunscreen on a small area of your baby’s skin (doing a patch test) to make sure your baby can tolerate the product. Apply the small area before you need to rely on the sunscreen to protect them from the sun and check the area for signs of redness or allergy for the next few hours. If there is no reaction, you can then apply this to all exposed areas of their body. When trying a new brand, always patch test in this way too.

• How to apply suncream

Use enough! Many people do not use enough sun cream – so make sure that you use at least a tablespoon of sun cream if covering the legs and arms of a baby.

Apply sunscreen liberally to any area of your baby’s skin that isn’t covered up by clothes or a hat. Remember to include his hands and feet, and the back of his neck and ears.

• Pat, don’t rub!  It’s best to pat it on rather than rub it in. If you can, put sunscreen on your baby 15 minutes before they are exposed to any sun.

Cover exposed parts of your child’s skin with sunscreen, even on cloudy or overcast days. Apply sunscreen to areas not protected by clothing, such as the face, ears, feet and backs of hands. Be especially careful to protect your child’s shoulders and the back of their neck when they’re playing, as these are the most common areas for sunburn. 
 

• Reapplication

Reapply the sunscreen at least every couple of hours and after they have played in water, even if the sunscreen claims to be waterproof. Some water-resistant products may only protect your baby’s skin for up to 40 minutes of water play, while others may protect for up to 80 minutes.

Other tips for keeping your baby safe from the heat and sun in summer:

• Fluids

Fully breastfed babies should not need to be given extra water – but do check for any signs of dehydration. Otherwise, babies under 6 months should be regularly given cooled boiled water. Over six months of age, they can be given regular water.

• Sleep

In summer, it is best to create a cool sleeping environment for your baby. Place your baby feet to the foot of the cot, on a flat mattress without blankets or pillows.

When out and about in the summer with your baby in a buggy or pram, sleep can be more problematic. Don’t be tempted to put a blanket over the pram to block out the  sunlight as this can trap warm air within the buggy, causing the temperature to soar to dangerous levels.

Instead ideally opt for a mesh pram cover that will block out sunlight and allow air to circulate. Always ensure you park your buggy in the shade and keep checking to ensure it remains shaded and cool.

• Cloudy days

Remember, you can still get burned in the shade. Sun protection remains essential even on overcast days. If the temperature seems low to you, remember that it could still affect a young baby or child.

• The impact of water

Many people do not know that if you are on or near a body of water, this will dramatically increase the potency of the sun’s rays.  Sun cream should be reapplied after swimming.

If your baby has sunburn:
Firstly, don’t panic! 

• Do, however, treat the burn more seriously than you would an adult’s. Remove them from the sunlight immediately and take them indoors, preferably into a cool or air-conditioned environment.
• Shower the affected area for 10 minutes under tepid water, then apply neat aloe vera. Seek immediate medical advice if a baby or child has become sunburnt, particularly if their skin has blistered.
• Give them regular drinks of cool water to ensure they remain hydrated.
• If they show signs of heat exhaustion – hot, flushed, sweaty, unsettled, vomiting or diarrhoea – always get medical advice immediately.

With these tips in mind, enjoy the sunshine!

​Life First provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. Life First is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information. It is strongly advised that you attend a First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.

Adapted from a post by Emma Hammett at https://firstaidforlife.org.uk/ Kate Ellwood (May 2019)