Vital First Aid for Parents

Children are active and playful, and because of this they are vulnerable to getting hurt. It is necessary for parents to know basic first aid so that they can help their child in any emergency, since first aid can save a life. The best way to learn first aid is to have first aid classes at your local Red Cross center, but you will find basics in these articles which will help you learn necessary procedures for common injuries.
For small injuries that occur while playing or exercising, remember the acronym R-I-C-E. "R" stands for rest, make sure that the injured area is rested for one to three days. "I" stands for ice, ice the area that is injured is iced for a half hour for a day or two. "C" stands for compression, apply a bandage to compress the area. "E" stands for elevate, elevate the area that is injured after the injury occurs.
For sprains, follow the same treatment for small injuries. Move the sprained area a bit so that there is blood flow since it will help make healing faster. If the sprain is unbearable for the child, go to a doctor to check for swelling or if there are even broken bones.
If in case your child breaks a bone while playing a sport or falling, it is necessary to check the injury and see if there is any bone that is deformed. Check the blood flow to the area by pressing the surrounding skin with your fingers, if it does not return to its original color quickly, then the blood flow could be blocked. If there is a deformity or no blood flow, then call an ambulance and get to the emergency room as soon as possible.
Shallow cuts are common for young children, and if your child gets one, you should wash the wound immediately and apply an anti-bacterial ointment. If the wound is very deep, it is necessary to go to the doctor, since it could require stitches. Minor burns should be treated with cold running water for 10 minutes, and apply burn ointment and a bandage.
If your child hits his or her head, then make sure that your child is conscious first. If your child is not conscious, call up an ambulance. Check his or her airway to see if your child is conscious. If there is anything blocking your child from breathing, remove it immediately. Check his or her pulse, if there isn't any pulse then start CPR as soon as possible. For a child that is conscious, consult with your doctor's office, if you have any question about the seriousness of a head injury. All parents should take a CPR class and pay particular attention to learning child CPR.
It is important for all parents to be educated in first aid so that you can be a responsible and effective caregiver to your children. Also, it is most important to prevent accidents from happening in the first place. Proper safety reduces the chances of injuries greatly, so make sure that your house is safe for children of all ages.