Babysitter's Checklist: What To Do In Case Of Injury Or Illness
“Ouches” and “boo-boos” seem are unfortunately common rites of passage for growing children. Falling down, getting scrapes and bruises and getting sick are all a part of life that has to be dealt with. Knowing what to do in the case of these minor medical emergencies is important so make sure your family members and baby sitters know how to respond in these situations so that you can respond in a calm and collected fashion. It’s also prudent to know the basics of first aid and CPR so you can handle situations such as choking as well as stop serious bleeding, or handle fractures until emergency help arrives. What follows are some treatment tips to help in these situations.

Please note that before undertaking any of the following treatments it is important to use common sense and contact your physician or advice nurse to make sure the treatment option you undertake is appropriate for your particular child and situation.

In Case Of Serious Illness Or Injury

If your community has the 911 emergency number, use it. Not all communities use this system, so be sure you know which number to use and keep it posted near the phone. Even small children can be taught to dial an emergency number.

Poisoning
Call the Poison Control Center, hospital or emergency rescue unit immediately. Explain what symptoms the child shows and what substance the child swallowed. Read the label from the container and provided emergency personnel with specific information including brand name, manufacturer and warning labels plus the child's age, weight and general health. Only induce vomiting if your medical practitioner indicates it is safe to do so. If you are instructed to bring the child to the Emergency Room, take the container with the label intact and whatever contents remain.

While it’s smart to keep Syrup of Ipecac in the house in case your child swallows poison, it should not be used in all situations. Call the Poison Control Center or the emergency department for advice. For example, do NOT induce vomiting if any of these were swallowed:

• strong Acids (like sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric, carbolic), Ammonia, Benzene, Bleach, Car Polish, Caustic Lime, Drain Cleaners, Furniture Polish, Gasoline, Kerosene, Lye, Turpentine.

If vomiting occurs, save it, if possible, for examination by the doctor

Heat and Chemical Burns
While you are waiting for emergency help arrives, put burned area immediately in cool water or apply clean, cool moist towels. DO NOT USE ICE. Continue doing this until the pain or burning stops. Do not burst any blisters that may appear. Avoid any ointments, greases or powders. For contact with chemicals, flush skin with plenty of running water, but only cover exposed area with a clean bandage if the chemical has caused a burn. If the burn is serious, keep child quiet and lying down with legs elevated, and cover with a blanket. If child is conscious, can swallow and does not have severe mouth burns, give plenty of water or other liquids.

Choking
Choking can occur when food or a foreign object obstructs the throat and interferes with normal breathing. Call for medical help immediately. The following steps are advised if a choking child is unable to speak or cough forcefully. If the child can speak, cough, cry or breathe, do not do anything.

For children over 1 year of age:

• Stand behind child.
• Wrap arms around the child's waist.
• Make a fist and place the thumb side between child's belly button and rib cage.
• Place other hand over the fist and make a quick upward thrust, exerting pressure into child's abdomen. Repeat if necessary.

For infants less than 1 year old:

• Place baby's head in face-down position on your forearm, with head and neck stabilized.
• With heel of your hand, administer four rapid back blows between baby's shoulder blades.
• If obstruction remains, turn baby on back and rest on a firm surface.
• Deliver four rapid thrusts over the breastbone using two fingers.

Bleeding
While waiting for emergency help to arrive, place a thick pad of clean cloth or bandage directly over the wound, and tie in place with a belt, bandage, necktie, cloth strips, etc., taking care not to stop circulation to the rest of the limb. For injuries where a tie cannot be used, such as on the neck, place a thick pad of clean cloth or bandage directly over the wound and control bleeding with finger or hand pressure. If bones are not broken, raise bleeding part higher than the rest of the body.

Broken Bones
While waiting for emergency help to arrive, do not move the child unless absolutely necessary. If the child with a suspected neck or back injury must be moved, keep the back, head and neck in a straight line, preventing them from being twisted or bent during movement. Try to place the injured limb in as natural a position as possible without causing discomfort to the child. Use a clean cloth or bandage to control bleeding.

In Case of Shock
If someone has been shocked, there’s a chance they may still be in contact with the source of the electricity. Do NOT touch the person or anything he or she is touching as you could become be shocked or even killed! Turn off the main power to the house. Call 911 and tell them it is an electrical accident. When you are sure the victim is not in contact with the source of electricity, provide first aid including CPR if needed.

Do not touch burns, burst blisters, or remove burned clothing. Electrical shock may cause burns inside the body, so be sure the person is taken to a doctor.

• If yes to any of the above, the patient should be examined by a physician promptly.
• If no, then follow the instructions below.

Poison Oak or Poison Ivy
Try to avoid scratching to prevent infection. Scratching will not spread the rash, as the rash is not contagious. Apply cold compresses to areas of itching. Over-the-counter Benadryl, topical steroid creams, and other medicines specific for poison ivy may be used.

Read More Parent Resources