Children’s Health & Safety

E1: Examine issues related to the health & safety of children

Children’s SafetyTreating IllnessCPR/First AidSafety Signs/Preventing Accidents

SafetyA parent or care givers main responsibility is

to keep children safe.They must protect children from hazards.They must be prepared for emergencies.Most parents and caregivers should know

CPR & First Aid.

What should you do if an accident occurs?Stay calm: this will help reassure the childEvaluate the situation: determine if the

situation is minor or seriousProvide Comfort: do not move the child, keep

the child warm, give words of comfortCall for Help: dial 911Give First Aid: treat the injury

Types of InjuriesBleedingBumps & BruisesFractures & SprainsSplinters & ThornsBurnsChokingSeizure

(convulsions)

Animal or Human Bites

Insect Bites/StingsPoisoningShock

Types of BurnsFirst Degree- mild, may turn skin pink or red.

There are no blisters. Never apply ointmentSecond Degree- red & forms blisters. Cover

with wet cloth or blanketThird Degree- may leave skin white or

blackened. Get medical attention immediatelyChemical- wash with cool water. Remove

clothing.Electrical Burns- appear minor but usually

deep. Cool with water, cover, elevate legs to prevent shock

How to Treat Minor Cuts & ScrapesStop bleeding by applying pressureClean the area with mild soap & waterDry areaApply ointmentCover the wound

How to Treat NosebleedsHave the child sit or stand and lean forwardSqueeze the lower half of the nose (10 min.)Check for clottingCall for medical attention

How to Treat Splinters & ThornsSplinter- tiny object that becomes imbedded

in the skinIf the splinter is sticking out of the skin, use

sterilized tweezers and pull it out. Apply ointment & band aid

If the splinter is under the skin, open the womb & pull it out.

How to Treat ChokingChoking occurs when someone's air way is

blocked.Provide abdominal thrusts.

Preventing ChokingMake sure that the child does not have

access to small toys or toys with removable pieces

Constantly supervise children constantlyCut up all food into small pieces

How to Treat Fractures & SprainsFracture- break or crack in a boneSprain- sudden violent stretching or a joint or

muscleNever move the child, get medical attentionIf it is minor,; elevate, apply cold pack, & get

medical attention.

ConvulsionsAlso know as a seizure.Muscles suddenly contractThe individual will fall, twitch, & jerkUsually last less than 5 min.Loosen tight clothing, never move, do not put

anything in the mouth, turn on side if there is vomit

Animal/Human BitesIf the skin is not broken, wash area, and

apply antibiotic ointmentIf the bite is more serious and by an animal

call local health departmentThe bite must be treated by a medical

professional to prevent the spread of disease.

Insect BitesRemove stinger by scraping it with blunt

edge objectWash the area with soapApply cold packIf the individual is allergic to bees then they

must get medical attention immediately (anaphylactic shock)

Some insect bites itch. To prevent itching use witch hazel, alcohol, or a paste of baking soda, water, and calamine

PoisoningIngesting harmful substancesSigns of poisoning- burns around the mouth,

strange smelling breath, fever, rash, coughing, or difficultly breathing.

If you suspect a child has ingested something poisonous call poison control.

Phone number for poison control: 1-800-222-1222

Poison control is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Common Household PoisonsMedicinesCleaning ProductsPersonal Care ProductsInsecticides and fertilizersPlants (English ivy, poison ivy /oak, berries,

wild mushrooms, plant bulbs)

ShockWhen an individual has an injury, they lose a

lot of blood or they are badly burned or poisoned.

Shock is when the body functions such as breathing and heartbeat stop or weakening greatly.

Symptoms of shock: cool or clammy skin, weak pulse, shallow breathing, dilated pupils, and unconsciousness

CPRCardiopulmonary Resuscitation- used only

when the heart has stopped beating and they have stopped breathing.

The technique combines rescue breathing with chest compressions to restore the blood circulation, heart beat and breathing.

Only individuals that have received proper training should perform CPR

First AidProviding general treatment for injuries.There are various guidelines that must be

used when treating basic injuries.

Rescue BreathingBreathing for someone else when they are

unable to breath for themselves.Forcing air into the lungs of a person who is

not breathingLack of oxygen more than five min. will result

in brain damage.

Preventing AccidentsRemove all broken toys and objects from the

environment.Be sure play area has been sprayed for

insects.Remove all limbs and debris from play areaAlways pay close attention to children

always.Maintain a close viewing spaceCreate rules for the environment and enforce

them.

Safety SignsIntroduce and explain the meaning of common safety signs in a child's environment.See Safety Sign Poster

Children’s HealthCommon IllnessesImmunization

Regular Health CareRegular health checkups are important.Possible health problems can be detected

early and treated early.After the first year, children should get a

check up once a year.

Children’s Check Up Schedule9 months old12 months old15 months old18 months old2-3 years old

2 weeks old1 month old2 months old4 months old6 months old

Common Childhood ConditionsAsthma- causes the lungs to contract to more

frequentlyAllergies- extreme sensitivity to a substanceEar Infections-fever and fluid in the earChicken Pox- red itchy rash, fever, soresCommon Cold- stuffy nose, sneezing,

coughing, sore throatFlu-tired, shakes, fever, aching musclesStrep Throat-white patches on the tonsils,

painful swallowing, sore throat

ImmunizationsProtection against communicable diseases.Communicable Disease- disease that is

passed from one person to anotherIndividual are immunized by giving a small

amount of the disease called a vaccine.