First Aid Essentials Every Parent Should Know

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Accidents happen — especially at home. Knowing what to do in the first minutes of an emergency can make a real difference. 🚑 Here is a practical first-aid primer for parents.

First aid essentials for parents

Your home first-aid kit 🧰

Item Used for
Adhesive bandages (various sizes) Small cuts and grazes
Sterile gauze + medical tape Covering larger wounds
Antiseptic wipes Cleaning wounds
Tweezers Removing splinters
Digital thermometer Checking fever 🌡️
Child-safe antihistamine Allergic reactions
Hydrocortisone cream Insect bites and rashes
Burn gel or cool-water supply Minor burns

Key first-aid basics

Choking 🫧

For a child over 1 year: give up to 5 back blows between the shoulder blades, then up to 5 abdominal thrusts. Alternate until the object is dislodged or help arrives.

Burns 🔥

Cool the burn under running water for 20 minutes. Do not apply ice, butter or toothpaste. Cover with a clean, non-fluffy dressing.

Fever 🌡️

Age When to call a doctor
Under 3 months Any fever over 38°C — call immediately
3–6 months Fever over 38.9°C
6 months + Fever over 39°C lasting more than 3 days

Bleeding 🩸

Apply firm, continuous pressure with a clean cloth. If bleeding soaks through, add another layer — do not remove the first one.

When to call emergency services 📞

  • Difficulty breathing or blue lips
  • Unconsciousness
  • Severe bleeding that does not stop
  • Head injury with confusion or vomiting
  • Seizure lasting more than 5 minutes

Learn the numbers: save your local emergency number and your paediatrician’s line on speed dial today.

Family and children health

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