Here - Health Promotion Agency
Here - Health Promotion Agency
Here - Health Promotion Agency
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Illness and accidents<br />
at the knee and the arms remain<br />
in the position described above.<br />
3 Tilt the head back gently to<br />
maintain the open airway.<br />
4 If in the correct position, as<br />
shown, your child will not roll on<br />
to his or her tummy or back.<br />
5 Check breathing and signs of<br />
circulation. If either stops,<br />
follow the ABC of resuscitation<br />
(page 112).<br />
Don’t give your child<br />
anything to eat or drink after<br />
an accident. Wait until you<br />
get to the hospital. He or she<br />
may need an anaesthetic<br />
later.<br />
IF YOUR CHILD HAS<br />
A BROKEN BONE<br />
• Don’t move your child if you<br />
think his or her neck or spine<br />
may be injured. Get expert help.<br />
Unnecessary movement could<br />
cause paralysis.<br />
•<br />
A bone in your child’s leg or arm<br />
may be broken if he or she has<br />
pain and swelling, and the limb<br />
seems to be lying at a strange<br />
angle.<br />
• If you can’t easily move your<br />
child without causing pain, call<br />
an ambulance.<br />
•<br />
If you have to move your child be<br />
very gentle. Use both hands<br />
above and below the injury to<br />
steady and support it (using<br />
blankets or clothing if necessary).<br />
Comfort your child and take him<br />
or her to hospital.<br />
IF YOUR CHILD IS BURNT<br />
OR SCALDED<br />
•<br />
Immediately put the burn or<br />
scald under running cold water to<br />
reduce the heat in the skin.<br />
Do this for at least 10 minutes.<br />
If running water isn’t available,<br />
immerse the burn or scald in cold<br />
water, or any other cooling fluid,<br />
such as milk, or other cold drinks<br />
could be used.<br />
• Cover the burn or scald with a<br />
clean, non-fluffy cloth like a clean<br />
cotton pillow case or linen tea<br />
towel or cling film. This cuts<br />
down the danger of infection.<br />
•<br />
If clothes are stuck to the skin,<br />
don’t try to take them off.<br />
• Depending on the severity of the<br />
burn or scald, see your doctor or<br />
call an ambulance or take your<br />
child to hospital. You should seek<br />
medical help for anything other<br />
than a very small burn.<br />
•<br />
Don’t put butter, oil or ointment<br />
on a burn or scald. It only has to<br />
be cleaned off again before<br />
treatment can be given.<br />
• Don’t prick any blisters. You’ll<br />
delay healing and let in germs.<br />
•<br />
Be prepared to treat your child<br />
for shock (see page 118).<br />
MINOR ACCIDENTS<br />
Many general practices are<br />
equipped to deal with minor<br />
casualties such as cuts or<br />
items trapped in the nose or<br />
ear. In these sorts of cases,<br />
therefore, it may be more<br />
appropriate or convenient for<br />
you to seek advice from your<br />
local practice on where best<br />
to go before attending an<br />
Accident and Emergency<br />
department.<br />
115