First Aid Tips Every Mom Should Know

10 First Aid Tips Every Mom Should Know

I was recently asked by All4Women to put together my top 10 first aid tips for moms. I wanted to share these with all of you in this blog post. You can find more tips in my MiniKit Pocket Guide (https://www.oneaid.co.za/product/minikit/).

1. Keep emergency numbers on speed dial: Every parent should know who to call in an emergency. You should also teach this to your children. Write the numbers down and stick them on your fridge or somewhere near the phone.
2. Cuts and scrapes: Stop any bleeding by pressing firmly on the wound with a gauze or cloth. Then rinse the wound under cool running water before applying a dressing such as a plaster. Tap water is perfectly fine, you don’t need fancy antiseptic solutions.
3. Burns: Rinse burns under cool running water for up to 20 minutes. This will prevent any further damage and reduce pain. Do not use freezing cold water or ice
4. Bee stings: Remove the stinger if still attached and apply an ice pack to reduce swelling. Don’t use tweezers as this may squeeze out more poison. Rather scrape the stinger off with a flat-edged object such as a bankcard.
5. Nosebleed: Lean your child forward so they don’t swallow any blood and pinch the nose closed just below the bony part. Blood can irritate the stomach and cause nausea and vomiting.
6. Broken bones: If you suspect a broken bone don’t move the limb or apply any weight. Splint the injured limb to prevent any movement before going to the emergency room.
7. Seizures: Never put anything into the mouth of a child who is having a seizure. This includes medicines for fever if your child is having a febrile convulsion. Roll your child onto his or her side and wait for the seizure to stop.
8. Heat exhaustion: Get your child out of the heat and elevate his or her legs. Prevention is key so make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids before and during any activity in hot weather.
9. Poisoning: If you suspect your child has swallowed a potentially harmful substance do not make them vomit or give them anything to eat or drink unless told to do so by emergency services. Here are 10 essential tips to prevent poisoning in your home (https://www.oneaid.co.za/10-essential-tips-to-prevent-poisoning-inyour-home/).
10. Be prepared: Always have a well stocked first aid kit on hand so you can manage minor injuries without delay and reduce the risk of infection or severity of injury.

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