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What to do with burns?
This depends on the severity of the burn :
The skin turns red : This is a first degree burn. Such burns can be taken care of at home with the right experience, intervention and medication. They take several weeks to recover.
The skin turns red, hot and swollen : This could be a superficial second degree burn, but it is advisable to seek urgent medical intervention as they require regular attention and surveillance to avoid infections from developing.
The skin turns greyish : This is a serious second degree burn which requires immediate medical intervention.
The skin turns brown and has no feeling : This is a serious third degree burn which requires immediate hospitalisation.
All second or third degree burns require immediate medical and hospital intervention.
First aid and care at home
– When the child has first degree burns, cool the affected area under cool water (15-20 ° C) for about 10 mins, it helps to ease the pain and prevents the spread of the burn.
Then apply the healing cream, biafine type, on the entire area, repeat this regularly (every half hour or hour). If signs of infection occur, promptly see a doctor.
– When the child has second degree burns, cool the affected area. You can also give your child paracetamol if cold water has not completely calmed the pain. Then apply a non-alcoholic antiseptic and are make an air tight dressing, there are such special burn dressings in pharmacies, as a precaution you should keep some in stock at home. Renew the dressing every other day and watch the evolution of the injury. If any infection appears or if the injury does not heal after a few days, promptly see a doctor.
– When the child has second degree burns with greyish skin or third degree burns call for an ambulance to take the child to the hospital’s emergency unit and immediately cool the burns under cold water (15-20 ° C) for 10 minutes.
In case of extensive burns take a smooth clean cloth, linen sheet type and cover the wounded area.
How to react to a fever
Fever is not unusual with children. It may scare parents, but do not worry, fever allows the child to fight the virus alone. It indicates the start of the child’s own immune defense system. The treatment of fever is not systematic (a child may have a fever and may not feel unwell). Medicines that lower fever are especially useful for their analgesic power and the comfort they provide.
– Below 38 ° the child has a fever but you do not have to act immediately as the body knows how to regulate itself if it must.
– Above 38.5 ° the child feels visibly ill, to ease the discomfort undress the child and give it some water to drink regularly and ventilate the room to air it. A tepid or warm bath is strongly discouraged as it may aggravate the discomfort.
– If the temperature reaches and passes 39 °, you can give the child some paracetamol but you must carefully take into consideration the child’s weight to ensure you are giving it the right dosage of medication as indicated in the instructions supplied with the box.
– If after three days the fever persists and your child still feels ill, it is imperative to consult your pediatrician or to take him to the hospital’s emergency unit.
The key to home security
Parental and adult vigilance is required for the safety of children at home. You should never leave a baby unattended when in its bath on in its high chair or on a nappy changing table/bed.
Here are some safety tips at home :
1 / Storage :
Secure storage, good self organisation and vigilance is paramount to ensure that dangerous and sharp objects, toxic products, moveable furniture, decorative objects, overhanging table cloths, open doors, windows, keys etc. are all out of reach of the children. This will give you more peace of mind. Designate dedicated locked cupboards and drawers for toxic products, medicine and kitchen utensils.
2 / Protective Accessories :
Barrier for the stairs or at the entrance to the kitchen or other rooms where the environment is not suitable for children
Security systems or cap locks for bottles and tins of dangerous products.
Table/cupboard corner protectors.
Electrical sockets protection covers.
Security systems for windows and door retainers.
3/ Drowning Prevention :
It takes less than10 inches of water to cause drowning with children. You should never leave a child alone in the bathtub or shower, neither should you leave a child playing with water in a bathtub or basin. Install an anti-slip mat in the bath in this way the child does not slip.
In addition, it is recommended to install a lockable barrier around the swimming pool or any decorative water feature, wells, fountains, streams, water containers, animal watering troughs or ponds in gardens or fields.
4 / Burn Prevention:
Use an oven with a door which is always cold or arrange to install your oven at an adult’s height.
Keep children away from cookers, ovens, hobs, fires, heaters, B.B.Q’s, fireworks and matches.
Do not give them hot water bottles in beds or to carry. Do not let them near kettles, hot utensils, pans, baking trays, toasters. Warm drinks or food should never be served hot.
5/ Baby safety:
Always secure the child in the high chair and lean the chair against a wall to avoid falling. Always secure the bedside rails and support of a child’s cot.
Always stay next to the changing table or bed when the child is there. Make sure you follow the car manufacturer’s recommended fixing method and position when transporting a child in a specially designed car seat. Never leave a child unattended in a car or at home. Always strap a child into its seat when going out with a push chair.
6 / Do not hesitate to teach children to follow your safety advice from an early age.
For example you have to explain how to come off the couch safely, that is to say, back legs and buttocks first. Always turn on the cold water before the hot water. Do not touch electrical sockets.