Know your first aid for kids

Give kids some time off and they'll always manage to get into scrapes. Summertime and the holidays bring children outside to have fun in playgrounds and paddling pools, on beaches and at barbecues and parties.

But with so many outdoor activities to enjoy, minor mishaps are bound to occur, and perhaps occasionally a more serious accident.

Parents should be aware of where children are playing. Perhaps they're likely to play in the street - so are they aware of the danger of traffic and do they know the kerb drill?

A major factor in summer accidents is that parents and children are more often away from home visiting unfamiliar places or locations. Conscientious parents - and they're the majority - will generally make sure, for instance, that dangerous chemicals or cleaning fluids are locked safely away in their own homes. But problems can arise when families visit relatives, go on outings or perhaps stay in a holiday home where there aren't the same safeguards.

Also, other people may have completely different ideas about safety, or may not be used to having children around and taking precautions. So Granny may leave her prescription pills beside her bed, which are mistaken for sweets by a visiting child, or the oven door in a holiday villa may get red-hot unlike the oven at home.

Parents are urged to take a first aid course so they've got the skills to help their children if an accident occurs. It could not only help save their child's or another child's life in an emergency, but also it helps give parents more confidence so that they can allow their children the freedom to enjoy their childhood.

There will always be risks in childhood activities, whether it's climbing trees or swimming - but this way parents can face the fear and be equipped to deal with whatever happens rather than acting out of fear.

So, what are the things to look out for and how do you treat them if they arise? Check out these tips and advice for parents so you're prepared for summer.

General tips

• Have a first aid kit at home, handy in the car, and in your luggage if you're travelling.

• Always take emergency kits with you on days out, including plasters, antiseptic wipes for cleaning cuts and grazes, Calpol sachets, anti-histamines (great for insect bites, nettle stings, hayfever).

• Try to think ahead and anticipate hazards that might arise in a new location. For instance, ensure kids wear beach shoes so they can avoid cuts from sharp stones on beaches, or stings.

• Don't assume other people have the same safety standards, or rely on other parents to ensure your child stays safe, especially if there's a large group of children on an activity, particularly in a pool.

• Be vigilant! Children are naturally curious and adventurous and fascinated by water. Supervise children in paddling pools and empty them immediately after use, and don't rely on other adults who are looking out for their children to look out for yours. The more children in the pool the harder it is to notice a problem.

Burns and scalds

Summer and barbecues go hand in hand. Unfortunately little hands and other body parts can get a burn from even the briefest brush against a hot barbecue.

What to do: Comfort the child, cool the area, assess the damage and keep it clean. Remove clothing from the burnt area if possible but only if it easy to do so. Cool the area by running under cool tap water for 10-20 minutes or until the pain eases.

Lightly cover the area with cling film, plastic bag or cold wet cloth. Give some pain relief medicine. If the burn is larger than palm size or remains red, take the child to a doctor or hospital.

Wounds - big and small

Scrapes and grazes seem to increase in the summer when running around, exploring, and risk-taking is the order of the day.

What to do: Mostly these need a plaster and a "kiss better". If it looks like it needs a little bit more, stop the bleeding, check the wound and keep it clean. To stop bleeding apply gentle but firm pressure to the area using a clean cloth or dressing. Once the bleeding has stopped check the wound, if possible clean the wound with running water. Elevate the area.

For big wounds give some pain relief medicine, keep applying pressure and take the child to hospital. If there is something embedded in the wound do not remove it.

For small wounds: If the wound has stopped bleeding and is not gaping use a steristrip or apply a dressing. Keep it clean and dry. Watch and wait; if it keeps bleeding get it checked out.

Limb injury

Climbing trees, playing outdoor games and making the most of the long hours of daylight in the playground mean that knowing what to do for an injury to a limb is all-important.

What to do: First, make the child feel more comfortable and decide whether to go to hospital. If it is obviously broken make them comfy. Support it in a sling (or maybe a tie or on a pillow). Give them pain medicine as it makes the journey easier. Go to casualty.

If you're unsure keep the limb up - elevating it will help the swelling to go down. Encourage the child to rest. Adding some frozen peas in a tea towel will reduce the pain and swelling and wrapping up/supporting the sore arm or leg in a bandage can help.

If you've done all those things and they don't start to use it fully, get it checked out.

Insect stings

Stings are far more likely to occur in the summer season.

What to do: Make the child comfortable, remove the sting if possible and check for an allergic reaction. Signs include a rash, feeling warm or itchy, severe and sudden swelling, difficulty in breathing. Scrape the sting off sideways with your thumb or a credit card and clean the area with water.

Cool water, ice packs (wrapped in a cloth) or a cool wet cloth will lessen the pain and reduce swelling. Administer anti-histamine medicine if it is itchy.

For wasp stings, bathe the affected area in vinegar. Bee stings respond well to bicarbonate of soda applied to the sting.

If your child swallows a sting give them a cold drink or an ice cube to suck on if old enough, and watch for signs of allergic reaction. If there is any swelling on their face or around the mouth, or strange breathing, call an ambulance and give anti-histamine medicine. Do not be tempted to drive to hospital with an allergic child. The key is to keep them still and calm, and wait for the paramedics.

Nose bleeds

Nose bleeds are more common in the summer months when pollen levels are high and blood vessels dilate in the heat.

What to do: Keep the child comfortable and stop the bleeding. Encourage them to sit forward, pinch the middle and lower (soft) part of their little nose. Give them ice-cool drinks to sip to help slow the bleeding down. Do not let them blow their nose if it's stopped bleeding.

Swallowing some of the blood can make children feel sick, reassure them and keep an eye on the vomiting. If the bleeding continues for more than 30 minutes take them to see a doctor.

Eye injuries

Walking into a tree branch and poking the eye, receiving a ball in the face, rubbing sand into the eye or even simply too much chlorine can lead to upset and distress in children.

What to do: Try to wash the area and calm and reassure your child. Keep them still. If there is something in their eye leave it there and go to hospital.

If something's been splashed or sprayed into the eye read the information on the product's bottle, try to rinse the eye with sterile or clean water, run it from the side of the face across into the eye. Give some pain relief medicine and go to hospital.

Water safety

Water safety is one area where awareness can make a huge difference. When you are on holiday or visiting friends and family take the time to check out the environment for any water dangers, such as children being able to gain access to unfenced areas of water such as ponds or swimming pools.

Be vigilant as even shallow water can be dangerous and a child can drown in as little as 5cm of water. Ponds should be drained or securely covered and swimming pools should be securely fenced and have child-proof self-locking gates.

Don't limit vigilance or supervision to pool hours. Children could decide to visit the pool area at any time of the day or night.

Do not allow diving unless you are confident that the water is deep enough and the diver is competent, and encourage a "walk only" policy around a pool.

Check that toxic pool-cleaning chemicals are locked up, out of view and reach of children. Learn the meaning of signs and flags at beaches and abide by the rules at all times.