Children and infants are defenceless and powerless creatures that need our extra special care and attention. However, there are unavoidable circumstances that would place them in harm. With this in mind, we should always think and be concerned of their safety above all else. Learning the ABC’s of keeping and maintaining them safe is very important. One way to do this is to have a handy Children and Infant First Aid Kit at home, during vacations, or even just anywhere for precaution.
A Children and Infant First Aid Kit is easy to use. It contains equipments that are not only used for emergency situations, but also for simple childhood illnesses and conditions. Some of the illnesses we can usually find in young children and infants may include diarrhoea, diaper rash, headaches, fevers, flu, colds, burns, minor lacerations, bruises, and allergic reactions. The equipments found in the kit usually consist of the following:
- Medicines for fever, cough, cold, pain, allergies and also stomach upsets
- Bandages (elastic and adhesive)
- Anti-itch Ointments and Creams - Antihistamine Cream (Benadryl), Hydrocortisone Cream, Calamine Lotion
- Adhesive tapes – should be hypoallergenic
- Antiseptic Solutions - Benzalkonium Chloride, Povidone Iodine Wipes, Alcohol Pads, Antibiotic Ointment (with petroleum jelly base), hand Sanitizer, Alcohol Rub
- Epinephrine Auto-injector – Epipen, treatment for Anaphylactic Shock
- Alcohol
- QuikClot – controls severe bleeding
- Bandage Scissors
- Tweezers or Pliers
- Sterile gauze
- Safety pins
- Poison Treatments – Ipecac Syrup, Activated Charcoal
- Flashlight
- Extra Batteries
- Thermometer
- Nasal aspirator
In addition, a first-aid manual is included for proper usage of the equipments. Besides the guidelines on the usage of equipments, the manual should also contain the information of who and what number to call, how to perform basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in an emergency case of the child or infant who is not breathing or maybe even not conscious, and the like. It is also helpful to study the manual, upon purchasing one, so as to be able to understand and correctly execute the use of it immediately on the time of the emergency.
In storing your Child and Infant First Aid Kit, it is very essential to place it in an accessible area out of reach of children. People, especially the adults who are the primary caregiver to the child and infant, should be advised where he or she can locate the kit. Moreover, they should also be recommended to go through the kit, only with adult supervision of course.
It is also important to know that these are given as primary treatments only. For aggravated cases, they are never the solution.
First aid solutions are good for minor situations but if the problem is quite serious or unknown to you, it is best to contact the emergency hotlines or to call a doctor. Do not rely on first-aid treatments for severe cases. Never make the mistake of placing your child’s life in jeopardy because of carelessness.
Always post the emergency hotlines for fire, police and medical concerns beside your phone or on your mobile. Thus, another important factor to keep in mind would be to stay calm and never panic. Once you panic, the surge of blood going through your brain makes it difficult for you to think straight in order to assess the situation. This is why it is very important that you have the emergency numbers handy.