Looking after infants and toddlers can be very challenging because it requires lots of attention. Mainly because parents, specifically moms, know that tons of hazards are present – anywhere even at home – which can put their little ones at risk any time of day as they are so vulnerable.
In fact, each year, 40,000 patients under 5 years old are hospitalized due to accidents that are mostly preventable.
Here are our top 3 list of common accidents babies, toddlers, and preschoolers are at risk of and how you can prevent and treat them.
Trip and Fall
It is very common for people of any age to get injured due to trips and falls but since kids have less control of their bodies, they are definitely fall-prone most especially for toddlers and infants.
Common hazards:
- Stairs without gate
- Beds without railings
- High surfaces
- Flimsy crib lock/latch
- Tables o chairs
- Baby walkers
- Wet floor or tub
- Clutter
- Doors
- Trampolines
- Bicycles
Prevention:
- Always watch your baby and do not leave them on a bed, sofa, or any elevated surfaces as they may roll off anytime.
- Install a gate to block the stairways.
- Install railings around beds.
- When going down the stairs, make sure to hold your baby firmly and get a good grip onto the handrails as you make your step.
- Always secure your baby using a harness whenever you sit them in a high chair or a cart when you go to the grocery store.
- Always check the lock of your baby’s crib as it may unlatch when your baby makes too much movement. You may also check a well-attached and properly placed latch before buying a crib.
- Slides and monkey bars are some of the most common causes of injuries in playgrounds. Watch your kids and toddlers and do not let them slide alone without your guidance.
- When buying a baby walker, choose the one that is compliant with safety standards such as the British Standard BS EN 1273:2005.
- Clean up clutters, boxes, fabric, blanket, off the floor.
- Do not place bouncing cradles or baby car seat on an elevated surface instead put them on the floor to prevent tipping.
- Make sure your chairs or tables are heavy enough so they are tip-proof; your little ones love climbing on those high surfaces.
- Before letting your child jump on a trampoline, make sure that it has; a ladder so your child can safely go up and down and a net cover. Do not let your kid jump if the trampoline is corroded or if there are hazards on the ground that your child may land on if the trampoline net fails.
- When riding a bike, make sure your kid is wearing a proper-fitting helmet as well as knee and shoulder pads. Do not go near roads and make sure to watch them all the time.
Symptoms:
- Bruise, wound, or bump to the head, elbows, and knees
- Dizziness and/or vomiting
- Unresponsiveness
- Confusion or disorientation
Treatment:
STEP 1 – Apply an icepack or something cold against the head or where the swollen area is located.
STEP 2 – While doing step 1, check for your child’s level of responsiveness using the AVPU scale:
A – Are they alert?
V – Can they respond if you talk to them?
P – Does your baby respond to pain, such as opening the eyes, when you pinch their earlobe?
U – If you feel like they are not as responsive as usual or if crying won’t stop, call for professional medical help.
STEP 3 – If there is a wound, do the following:
- Using your palm, apply direct pressure with a gauze or a clean cloth over the wound until bleeding stops. Apply After 10 minutes, if the bleeding continues, call for medical help.
- Wear gloves and clean around the wound with cool water and mild soap until all debris and dirt are removed. If you see a foreign object punctured deeply on the wound or skin, call for medical help.
- Elevate the wound above the heart level as much as you can if there is bleeding.
- Apply an antibacterial ointment to the wound area. It is best to read the instructions before applying.
- Cover the wound with a dressing and gauze bandage if the wound is exposed to dirt. If the wound is minor, let it heal in the open air.
- Observe the wound if a sign of infection appears – redness, swelling, drainage. If so, call for medical help.
If your baby is unconscious, try not to move their body as much as you can in case there is a spinal injury. Also, make sure to check their breathing and open their airway using the head tilt chin lift maneuver. If their breathing stops, start CPR.
Burns and Scalds
Common Hazards:
- Chemicals found or used for cleaning the home (liquid laundry capsules, bleach, solvent, ammonia, paint thinners).
- Electric socket.
- Water heater.
- Kitchen appliances and utensils.
- The heat of the sun.
- Hot iron and other hot objects.
Prevention:
- Place chemicals out of your child’s reach, in a safe cabinet, as kids tend to grab anything colorful or whatever makes them curious.
- Buy socket covers and make sure you always keep watch of your babies when they are out of their crib.
- Test baby formulas temperature all the time before handing them over the bottle. Make sure it feels lukewarm and not hot when you place few drops on the inside of your wrist.
- Test the water in the tub before letting your little one.
- Keep button batteries in a safe location as these can cause internal burns when swallowed.
- Always keep the kettle, coffee mugs, away from the countertop and table edges so it is less likely to be grabbed.
- Turn the handles of your cooking pans and pots towards the back so it is difficult to grab.
- Use sunscreen when you go to the beach or when the temperature outside is too high to prevent sunburns.
Symptoms:
- First-degree burn – Red, sore, and swollen skin.
- Second-degree burn – Blisters or peeling skin.
- Third-degree burn – Tissues are visible (yellow/white/bright red) with some blisters.
Treatment:
STEP 1 – Move your baby away from the source of heat.
STEP 2 – Remove clothing that may rub to the burn but do not remove it if it’s stuck to the skin.
STEP 3 – Let the burned skin under running cool water for at least 10 minutes.
Do not use an ointment, ice, creams, or any gels as they can worsen the injury.
STEP 4 – If the burn has blisters or peeling, cover it with a cling film to protect the burn from infection. Do not wrap it around the limb, just leave it over the burned skin and scrunch the edges of the cling film to secure it.
STEP 5 – Seek medical advice if the burn is on the face, is deep, or if it’s larger than the baby’s hand.
Choking
Common Hazards:
- Baby bottle nipple
- Small objects/toys
- Hard/large food
Prevention:
- Always check the nipple of your baby’s bottle if it is tightly attached.
- Change the bottle nipple if it is worn out (having cracks) as these may be swallowed when they chew on the nipple.
- Stay with your baby when they are eating or bottle-feeding.
- Keep clutters and small objects away from your child.
- Cut solid food into small pieces even if it is soft or round.
- Make sure your child sits still when eating as running or excessive moving may cause choking.
Symptom:
Sudden coughing is the sign that your child is choking. If not treated early, their skin will turn bluish.
Treatment:
STEP 1 – Remove the object if you can but do not poke directly as it may push the object further. You may also encourage your child to cough continuously to push the object out.
STEP 2 – If step 1 does not work, use back blows.
For under 1 year old
- Sit down and put your baby on your thighs face down. Support the head with your hand.
- Using the heel of your hand, give 5 blows to the center of the back between the shoulder blades.
- If the object was not dislodged, call for emergency help and continue the cycle while waiting.
For over 1 year old
- Do the same position in our lap. If not possible, let your child lean forward and provide support.
- Give 5 back blows to the back.
- If the object was not dislodged, call for emergency help and continue the cycle while waiting.
STEP 3 – If step 2/back blows do not work, do the chest thrust or abdominal thrust.
For under 1 year old (chest thrust)
- Lay your baby on your lap along the length of your thighs.
- Place two fingers in the middle of the breastbone.
- Give 5 sharp push, compressing the chest by about a third.
- If the object was not dislodged, call for emergency help and continue the cycle while waiting.
For over 1 year old
- Stand or kneel behind your child.
- Put your arms under theirs and wrap your arms above the navel just under the ribs.
- With your hands grasping each other, give 5 sharp inward and upward pull without putting pressure on the lower rib cage.
- If the object was not dislodged, call for emergency help and continue the cycle while waiting.
STEP 4 – If your child becomes unconscious, do the following
- Call for emergency
- While waiting, lay your child on his back on a flat surface. If you can do this step while calling for help, do so.
- Try to clear the airway as much as possible with the head tilt chin lift and if you can grab the object out of the mouth.
- Start CPR and continue until medical help arrives.
The main thing to prevent these common injuries is being watchful. Always stay alert and make sure you have the proper tools to treat minor injuries such as children’s first aid kit for your home and a playground first aid kit which you can bring along with you when your kid wants to play outside. For a customized first aid kit for your family and kids, email us at [email protected].
Source:
https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/treating-cuts-and-bleeding-in-children
https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/first-aid-advice/head-injuries/baby-and-child-head-injury/
https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/child-fall-prevention-tips/
https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/most-common-childhood-injuries/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/first-aid-and-safety/safety/baby-and-toddler-safety/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/first-aid-and-safety/first-aid/how-to-stop-a-child-from-choking/
https://www.childrenscolorado.org/doctors-and-departments/departments/surgery/programs-clinics/burn/treatment-for-burns/