Back to School First Aid: Empower Your Kids to Help Themselves and Others!

Back to School First Aid: Empower Your Kids to Help Themselves and Others!

Going back to school means kids will be engaging in various activities, both indoors and outdoors, which can sometimes lead to accidents or injuries. Teaching kids about first aid is essential to empower them to respond appropriately in case of emergencies. Here are some first aid tips for kids:

• Know how to call for help:
  Teach kids how to call emergency services (e.g., 911 in the United States) and when to call in case of an emergency. Ensure they know their home address and phone number.
• Treating minor cuts and scrapes:
• Clean the wound with soap and water.
• Apply an adhesive bandage or sterile dressing to protect the wound.
• If the cut is deep or there's excessive bleeding, they should seek help from an adult.
• Dealing with nosebleeds:
• Have the child sit down and lean forward slightly.
• Pinch the soft part of the nose, just below the bridge, with thumb and forefinger.
• Maintain pressure for about 5-10 minutes until the bleeding stops.
• Responding to falls and sprains:
• Rest the injured limb and avoid putting weight on it.
• Elevate the injured limb if possible.
• Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to reduce swelling and pain.
• Recognizing and responding to allergies:
• Make sure kids know if they have any allergies and what triggers them.
• If they experience an allergic reaction, they should seek help from an adult immediately.
• Handling burns:
• Cool a minor burn under cold running water for about 10 minutes.
• Cover the burn with a clean, non-stick dressing or cloth.
• For severe burns or burns involving the face, hands, or genitals, seek immediate medical attention.
• Knowing how to respond to choking:
• Teach the Heimlich maneuver for choking emergencies (for older kids).
• If a child is choking and cannot cough, breathe, or speak, they should seek help from an adult immediately.
• Recognizing and responding to heat exhaustion or heatstroke:
• Encourage kids to stay hydrated and take breaks during hot weather or physical activities.
• If someone shows signs of heat exhaustion like dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, rapid heartbeat, or fatigue, move them to a cooler place and offer water.
• For suspected heatstroke (hot, dry skin, confusion), call for emergency help immediately.
• Basic CPR awareness:
• For older kids, consider introducing basic CPR techniques, like hands-only CPR, if they are developmentally ready.
• Avoiding poisonous plants and substances:
• Teach kids to identify and avoid poisonous plants or berries.
• Instruct them never to consume any substance unless given by a trustworthy adult.

Remember, while it's essential to teach kids about first aid, they should always seek help from a responsible adult in case of any significant medical emergency. First aid is a valuable skill, but it should not replace professional medical care when needed.

Equip your child with a first aid kit when they return to school. It enables them to respond promptly to minor injuries, promotes independence and safety awareness, and provides comfort and security. It also supports teachers and staff, encourages empathy, and instills healthy habits for preparedness and safety.

We recommend our big SuperKit for college students, the GoKit for Highschool Kids and the MiniKit (easily clips onto any backpack) for younger children.