Baby Sitting First Aid Basics -(simple)

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we recognize that both our temporal well-being and our spiritual well-being are important.  By learning how to avoid accidents and how to take care of some common accidents, we become better prepared to protect and take good care of our temporal bodies.  It is also important that we have some basic first aid skills.  When we are prepared, we are better able to serve and bless others as well as ourselves.

Just like the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke10:29–37) we need to know that caring for others is not only important it is a responsibility.

Most babysitting jobs go smoothly and the worst thing that happens is a fight over the last Popsicle.  But for the rare times when an emergency does happen, you need to be ready to handle it.  That means thinking ahead and planning for anything that could happen.

Be Prepared!

It may seem scary to think about this stuff — it certainly reminds you of this big responsibility that babysitting is.  Its not likely you'll ever need to react to a serious emergency, just knowing what to do can help you feel more in control and confident.  Plus, knowing things like CPR or the proper way to do the Heimlich maneuver could give you an edge over other babysitters: Parents feel much safer when their sitters know these lifesaving techniques.

Some emergencies — such as choking or seizures — require that you know the what to do.  Before you even begin babysitting, it's a good idea to learn basic first aid, the Heimlich maneuver (for choking), and infant and child CPR.  These allow you to begin providing emergency care to a child while you are waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

I found the a lot of the following information at : http://kidshealth.org/  I have-however, changed a few things to better suit what I wanted to talk about.  

Choking

Preventing choking is much easier than treating it.  When you arrive at your babysitting job, make it a habit to get down on the floor and scope it out to search for any risky items within reach.  Remove anything that could be dangerous.

You might think of kids choking on things like coins, small toys, or other tiny objects that they can pick up and put in their mouths.  But foods can be a choking hazard, too.  Avoid serving these foods to young kids:

• carrots or celery
• cheese cubes
• fruits with pits or seeds (e.g., cherries, watermelon)
• grapes
• gum
• hard candy
• hot dog chunks
• nuts
• popcorn

When feeding kids, have them sit down and keep them calm while eating to help them avoid choking.  Don't give kids younger than 4 any hard, smooth foods or any of the foods listed above.  Always cut food into small pieces for toddlers and preschoolers.

If a child begins to choke, can't make sounds, or is turning blue and you know the Heimlich maneuver, do it right away.  If you haven't had training in this maneuver, call 911 immediately, then call the parents.  Don't pat the child on the back or put your finger in his or her mouth — this could make things worse.  If the child can make noises and cough, it's best to stay calm and watch to be sure things don't get worse.  The episode will usually pass.  Contact the parents as soon as you can to let them know this has happened.

BURNS:

If a child has a burn that is large, a burn that's caused by electricity (as from a live wire) or a chemical (like a household cleaner), or a burn that occurred in a fire:

 

Call 911 immediately and then call the child's parents.

• Remove clothing from the burned area, except clothing stuck to the skin.
• Run cool (not cold) water over the burn or place a cool wet cloth on the burn to lessen pain.
• Gently place a gauze bandage on the burn.
• Do not apply home remedies, such as butter, or use household ointments.
• Do not break blisters that have formed.

To help prevent burns:

• Keep kids away from hot objects like curling irons and radiators.
• Don't drink hot beverages like hot chocolate around babies or children.
• Know how to find and use all household fire extinguishers.
• Prepare hot meals only when kids aren't in the kitchen.
• Check the bathtub water temperature before kids get in.

BUG STINGS:

Bug stings and bites can be irritating, but the symptoms usually disappear quickly and don't require medical treatment.

Some kids, though, can have an allergic reaction to an insect sting or bite — and sometimes these can be life-threatening.  If a severe allergic reaction happens, a child will require immediate medical attention.

1. Possible signs and symptoms of a mild allergic reaction:

• red bumps
• itchiness
• mild swelling

2. Possible signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction:
• swelling of the face, tongue, or mouth
• difficulty swallowing or speaking
• chest tightness
• wheezing
• difficulty breathing
• dizziness

3. What to Do if a child has a reaction to a bug bite or sting:

• Wash the area with soap and water.
• Apply ice or a cool, wet cloth to the area to relieve pain and swelling.
• If a child shows signs of a severe allergic reaction, call 911 immediately and then call the child's parents.

4. Ways to prevent bug bites and stings:

• Don't allow children to walk barefoot in the grass.
• Don't let kids play in or around garages, attics, basements, woodpiles, and places spiders may be.
• Keep children out of areas where you know there are insects.
• Keeping all beverages closed when outside.

CUTS

Many kids get cuts from a bite caused by another child or an animal, falling down, or using sharp objects like scissors. Minor cuts can be treated at home but more severe cuts need medical attention.

1. Possible signs of a minor cut are:
• The cut is small and shallow.
• The cut stops bleeding.

2. Possible signs of a severe cut are:

·       deep and wide

·       continuous bleeding, even after applying pressure to the wound with a cloth or bandage

3. What to Do

Ø     For a minor cut:

·       Rinse the cut with warm water and a mild soap.

·       Apply an antibacterial ointment if available.

·       Cover the cut with a clean bandage.

Ø     For a more severe cut:

• Raise the injured body part to slow down bleeding.
• Rinse the cut with water and apply pressure with a clean bandage or cloth.
• If blood soaks through the first bandage or cloth, place another cloth or bandage over the first and keep applying pressure.
• If the cut is bleeding so much that bandages are becoming soaked with blood, call 911 immediately. After calling 911, contact the child's parents.

4. To help prevent cuts:
• Keep children from playing around table corners, sharp objects, or doors that slam shut.
• Don't let kids play outside barefoot.
• Stop children from playing with sharp objects.

Nose Bleeds

Nosebleeds mostly happen in the winter when the air is dry.  They can be scary, but kids actually get them a lot.  Most nosebleeds will stop on their own and usually aren't serious.

What to Do

1. If a child has a nosebleed:
• Sit the child up with the head tilted slightly forward. Do not have the child lean back (this may cause gagging, coughing, or vomiting).
• Pinch the soft part of the nose just below the bony part. Pinch for at least 10 minutes.
2. Call for medical care immediately if a child has a nosebleed that:

·       will not stop bleeding after pinching for 10 minutes

·       makes the child dizzy or pale

·       resulted from a fall or head injury

·       is caused by something put inside the child's nose

3. Contact the child's parents only after you've called 911 for help.

To help prevent nosebleeds:

·       Encourage kids to not pick their noses.

·       Ask the parent if the child has nosebleeds often and what triggers them.

·       Ask the parent if the child is taking a medication that may cause nosebleeds.

Sunburn

Sunburns can happen after just 15 to 20 minutes of sun exposure. However, symptoms of sunburn like redness and skin discomfort might not be noticed for a few hours.

Sunburn may not seem like a big deal, but repeated burns can lead to skin cancer.

Possible signs and symptoms of mild sunburn are:

• skin redness and warmth
• pain
• itchiness
• Possible signs and symptoms of severe sunburn are:
• skin redness and blistering
• swelling
• headache
• nausea
• chills

 What to Do

If a child has sunburn:

• Take the child out of the sun right away.
• Apply cool compresses to the reddened areas as often as needed.
• Apply a moisturizing cream or aloe gel to provide comfort.
• Call 911 immediately and then the child's parents, if the burn is severe.

To help prevent sunburn:

• Don't let kids play in the sun between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM, especially without the use of sunscreen.
• Use hats, sunglasses, and other protective gear on kids.
• Apply sunscreen that blocks both UVB and UVA rays and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.
• Apply sunscreen on kids 15 or 30 minutes before they'll be playing outside in the sun.
• Re-apply sunscreen 30 minutes after kids have been in the sun or after they've been swimming or sweating.