The following are common childhood injuries that parents should watch out for and be aware of what to do if it happens to a child:
Fatal Fall and Accidental Injury
Children capable to roll over, sit, walk and climb are prone to fall. It is the second most common death of children 1 month to 1 years old, next to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). A child can fall from bed, stairs, furniture, playground equipment and other high places.
First Aid: If there is suspicious fracture noted especially if in the head, bring the child immediately to the nearest hospital for proper evaluation. Let the child lie on a flat surface and avoid any movement as much as possible. Do not massage the suspected area. Let the professional health workers assess the certainty of fracture through an X-ray. Pain reliever may be given to alleviate pain.
If split lip occurs after a fall, rinse the mouth with cold water and gently clean the area with clean cloth. Apply cold compress to the lip or let the child pop an ice if he or she is old enough. If bleeding does not stop, call a doctor.
Ingestion of toxic substances
Active toddlers especially those between 15-17 months of age are prone to ingestion of non-food substances. Children at this age are capable of opening drawers and pry-open any bottles within their reach. They may ingest substances such as gasoline, paint, adult medications, liquid soap, fabric softener, shampoo or body wash.
First Aid: Check all the substances that the child have possibly ingested and note the amount and kind. Bring the child immediately to the nearest hospital. Do not give anything even water especially if one is not sure yet the kind of substance being ingested.
Burns
Babies have delicate skin that naturally burns easily. Water with temperature above 140 degrees Fahrenheit can cause severe burns easily. Toddlers who like to experiment with things can just open a hot tap water from the faucet in the sink or bathroom. They may even open a thermos or hot water dispenser or touch a bowl with hot soup or handles of pots and pan. These can scald the child's skin.
First Aid: If child acquired burn, immediately put the affected area under cold running water for 10-15 minutes to stop the heating process. Do not put directly ice, butter or ointments to the affected area. If severely burned, cover the affected area with clean gauze to maintain sterility. Do not attempt to remove the scalded skin. Bring the child immediately to the nearest hospital.
Choking
Children are inherently explorative. They would like to smell, touch and even taste anything their hands could grab, including small things. Small objects such as parts of their toys, pins, coins, keys can lead to choking. Moreover, toddlers like to put anything not just to their mouth but also to their nose. It could stick to the larynx and causes suffocation.
First Aid: If the child is breathing and continues to be able to speak or cough, do not interfere. If the coughing is ineffective, or high-pitched inspirations and inability to cry or speak, immediately do the back blows and chest thrust for children under 1 year old and abdominal thrust for children above 1 year old. If unconscious, bring immediately to the nearest hospital.
Drowning
Babies unattended in a bathtub could drown themselves in few minutes. Toddlers can walk and jump in water bodies such as sink, toilet, ponds, swimming pools and beach.
First Aid: Get the child immediately out of the water. If the child is not breathing, place him or her on his or her back on a firm surface and begin rescue breathing immediately and call for help. If unresponsive, do CPR until a doctor arrives.
Parents and caretakers as well should never let their guards off when watching over a child. All possibilities can happen in just a glimpse. Children are by nature curious and explorative. They would like to try everything within their reach, without being aware of the danger that goes with it. Therefore, it is the adult's responsibility to watch out for the children from acquiring injuries such as burn, drowning, fatal fall and injuries or ingestion of poisonous substances. They should arm themselves with first aid techniques, and never to go in panic once an unfortunate incident arises. Call for help if one does not know what to do.
