Many new mums and dads lack basic first aid knowledge and believe they know what to do in various scenarios when in fact they don't.
How many of the following FACTS do you know? How many MYTHS do you wrongly believe as true?
It's really worth investing a little time and money on a First Aid course - we've listed some course providers below.
FACT or MYTH?
84% of parents lack the simple first aid skills that could save their child’s life.
FACT
Most accidents to children happen between late afternoon and early evening, in the summer, during school holidays and at weekends.
FACT
Boys have more accidents than girls.
FACT
A hot drink can still scald a child up to 15 minutes after it is made.
FACT
More accidents to children happen in the lounge/living room than anywhere else in the home.
FACT
Around 25,000 under-fives attend A&E departments each year after being accidentally poisoned.
FACT
If your baby or child is not breathing just ring 999 rather than doing something and risk making things worse.
MYTH
If your child is not breathing and you do nothing, they will still be unconscious and not breathing which can cause death or severe brain damage. In England, the target response-time for life threatening emergencies is eight minutes.
If your child has a nosebleed, you should tilt their head back.
MYTH
This may cause blood to run into the throat and lead to nausea and vomiting. Instead, tilt their head forward, pinch the soft part of the nose shut and breathe through the mouth. If they’re still bleeding 30 minutes later, go to hospital.
You must never, ever move your child after a traffic accident, even if they’re not breathing.
MYTH
It’s all very well to worry about spinal injuries but it’s more important to make sure they’re breathing.
If a child drinks bleach, make them vomit.
MYTH
If your child or baby is choking on a foreign object, they’ll appreciate a couple of fingers down the throat.
MYTH
This could actually push the obstruction down further or you could scratch the back of the throat which could cause bleeding and inflammation of the airway. Slap the child on the back between the shoulder blades up to five times. If this doesn’t work do up to five abdominal thrusts on a child over 1 or up to five chest thrusts on a baby under 1 year.
If your child or baby is having a seizure, put a spoon or your finger in their mouth.
MYTH
This is supposed to stop them biting or choking on their tongue, but they’re more likely to break their teeth, or the object itself and then choke on the pieces. Don’t put your finger in the mouth as it could get bitten while you’re doing it. The best thing is to cushion the area with something soft and protect the casualty’s head.
Your child has suffered a burn - smother it in burns creams / sprays.
MYTH
The best thing to irrigate a burn is with cool running water. The important thing is to cool the burn to prevent it from getting worse.
For more information on First Aid courses near you, check out:
Fast Response First Aid Training, Leeds & Bradford – www.fastresponsefirstaidtraining.co.uk
First4Aid, Coventry, Warwickshire, Solihull & Midlands – www.first4aid.org.uk
Paco Training, Harrogate & Leeds – www.pacotraining.wordpress.com/
REDI Training, South London – www.redi-training.co.uk
Safe and Sound, North & South London - www.safeandsound.uk.net
St John Ambulance, Birmingham, West Midlands, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and nationwide - www.sja.org.uk
First Aid for Life Wandsworth, London www.firstaidforlife.org.uk