First Aid

First Aid Kit Those of us that already have children will understand the need of having a well stocked first aid kit handy. For children, scrapes, bruises and bumps are commonplace. When choosing a first aid kit for your home, make sure that you pick one that will be large enough to contain any extra supplies that might not be included in a store bought kit. If you choose to make your own first aid kit, you should choose a container that will be durable and easy to open. Fishing tackle boxes and art supply boxes make ideal first aid kits. Make sure your kit contains a good first aid manual and

that you have read through it thoroughly and check you kit often to replace missing and outdated items. Some of the items you should have in your kit are:

	first-aid manual
	sterile gauze
	adhesive tape
	adhesive bandages in several sizes
	elastic bandage
	antiseptic wipes
	soap
	antibiotic cream
	antiseptic solution (like hydrogen peroxide)
	hydrocortisone cream
	acetaminophen and aspirin (aspirin is not recommended for children under age 12)
	extra prescription medications (if going on vacation)
	tweezers
	sharp scissors
	safety pins
	disposable instant cold packs
	calamine lotion
	syrup of ipecac
	thermometer
	plastic gloves
	flashlight and extra batteries
	mouthpiece for administering CPR
	your list of emergency phone numbers
	blanket (stored nearby)

CPR
Every parent should know how and when to administer CPR. When performed correctly, CPR can save a child's life by restoring his breathing and circulation until advanced life support can be provided.

What is CPR?
The letters in CPR stand for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a combination of rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth resuscitation) and chest compressions. If a child is not breathing or circulating blood adequately, CPR can restore circulation of oxygen-rich blood to the brain. Without oxygen, permanent brain damage or death can occur in less than eight minutes.

Reading about CPR and learning when it is needed will give you a basic understanding of the procedure, but it is strongly recommended that you learn how to perform CPR by taking a course. If CPR is needed, use of correct technique will give your child the best chance of recovery.

When to Call a Doctor
Although some symptoms of illness differ depending on a child's age, some are the same for all children. For any child, infant to adolescent, call your child's doctor if you observe any of the following signs or symptoms
 

Signs and Symptoms - Infant to Adolescent
	high fever (The level of fever that is considered significant depends on the age of the child, the illness, and whether the child has other symptoms with the fever.)
	chills that make the child shake all over
	loss of consciousness
	extreme sleepiness or unexplained lethargy
	unusual excitement or hysterical crying
	sudden weakness or paralysis of any part of the body
	seizures (convulsions) or uncontrollable shaking of an arm or leg
	severe headache
	pain, heaviness, or stuffiness around the nose, eyes, or forehead
	nasal fluid that is discolored, bad-smelling, or bloody
	sudden hearing loss
	earache
	fluid discharge from the ear
	sudden decrease in vision
	eyes that are red, swollen, and watery, with or without blurred vision
	eyes that are extremely sensitive to light, especially if your child also has a fever, headache, or stiff neck
	a yellow color in the whites of the eyes or in the skin, especially with pain in the abdomen and/or dark or tea-colored urine
	stiffness or pain in the neck, especially with fever or headache
	severe sore throat, especially with trouble swallowing or speaking
	uncontrolled drooling because of painful swallowing
	difficulty breathing, especially with pale or bluish color of the lips or nails
	unusually rapid breathing
	severe or persistent cough, especially if it brings up bloody or discolored mucus
	vomiting for 12 hours or more
	vomiting of blood
	intense or unusual abdominal pain
	swollen or abnormally large abdomen
	diarrhea that is streaked with blood or mucus
	pain in the middle of the back, especially with fever or with discomfort while urinating
	painful or unusually frequent urination
	urine that is discolored, bloody, cloudy, or has an unusual smell
	discharge from the penis
	vaginal discharge that is thick and white, brown or discolored, or smells bad
	pain, redness, or swelling of a joint that can't be explained by exercise or injury
	a cut or scrape that oozes pus or becomes hot, red, tender, or swollen
	a sudden rash, or sudden crop of blotches or blisters, especially over a large area of the body
Special Signs and Symptoms - Birth to 1 Month
	fever (rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees F should prompt a call to the doctor)
	baby suddenly becomes "floppy" and loses muscle tone all over
	one or both eyes are pink, bloodshot, have a sticky white discharge, or eyelashes that stick together
	diarrhea in newborns - more than six to eight watery stools per day (breastfed newborns often have more loose stools than formula-fed babies; check with your child's doctor for guidance)
	redness or tenderness around the navel area
	white patches in the mouth
	nose blocked by mucus so baby can't breathe while feeding
	forceful vomiting
	vomiting that lasts for 12 hours or more
	vomiting with fever and/or diarrhea
	baby stops feeding normally
	crying for an abnormally long time
Special Signs and Symptoms - 1 Month to 1 Year
	fever (rectal temperature 100.4 degrees F in infants younger than 3 months, 101 degrees F in infants ages 3 to 6 months, and 104 degrees F in a child 6 months or older)
	baby refuses to eat and misses several feedings
	baby is unusually cranky and irritable or unusually sleepy