British Red Cross first aid trainer Anna Bishop examines some common injuries that pre-schoolers may encounter and provides childcarers with some first aid advice.

The Red Cross provides paediatric first aid training courses designed for people caring for children in any setting; the course equips you with the skills and confidence to help in a first-aid emergency.

Poisoning

Every day, 58 children* in the UK will attend accident and emergency units after being accidentally poisoned. Ordinary items such as medicines, household cleaning products and even some plants and berries can be very harmful to children if swallowed. Though these items are often locked away or out of the reach of curious children, it is important to know what to do if a child has swallowed something harmful:

• Establish what they have taken, when and how much.

The emergency services will want to know this information.

• Call 999 as soon as possible.
  The substance could be extremely harmful and the child may need urgent medical attention.

  Choking

  Children can choke whilst eating especially when they are getting to grips with new foods. Younger children are naturally inquisitive and like to explore new toys and small objects by putting them in their mouths. A child who is choking may be clutching at their chest or neck and won’t be able to speak, breath or cough. They will need your help to dislodge the object.

  What to do if a child (over the age of one year) starts choking:

  • Give up to five back blows by hitting them firmly on the back.

  
  Help them learn to lean forward and hit them firmly on their back between the shoulder blades to dislodge the object.

  • Give up to five abdominal thrusts by holding the child around their waist and pulling in and out.

  
  Abdominal thrusts squeeze the air out of the lungs and may dislodge the object.

  • If abdominal thrusts do not dislodge the object repeat steps one and two
  • Call 999 fi the child becomes unconscious and help hasn’t already been called.

  Burns

  Every year thousands* of children are treated for burns in hospital. It is an extremely common injury – especially for under-fives. Children have much more sensitive skin than adults so if they tip a hot drink over, it can be quite serious.

  Helping a child who has a burn:

  • Cool the burn with cold running water for at least 10 minutes.

  Flooding the area with water will stop the burning, reduce pain and the risk of scarring.

  • After the burn has been cooled, cover it with cling film or a clean plastic bag.

  
  A plastic covering helps to prevent infection and may also reduce pain by preventing air getting to the burned area.

  • Always seek medical advice for a child who has been burned and call 999 if necessary.

  How can I access further information?

  Morton Michel policyholders receive exclusive discounts on paediatric first aid courses. To book a course please visit www.mortonmichel.com/Child CareClub

  

  *Hospital Episode Statistics, Admitted Patient Care, England 2013-14
  Figures extrapolated from annual data
  Burns (0-16yrs):6.432/52=123.6 per week
  Poison (0-16yrs):21,493/365=58.8 per day