Dear CLUUb Members and dear Parents! In the Healthy People Club, we are constantly concerned about the safety and healthy development of your children. Together with our expert, Adrianna Cienkusz - a paramedic, graduate of the Medical University of Warsaw and first aid instructor from twojratownik.pl - we bring closer a key topic for every caregiver: first aid in emergency situations for infants and small children. Our interviewee, with experience gained, among others, in the emergency services and hospital emergency departments, shared with us key knowledge about emergency situations that can happen to every little one. Having the right knowledge and skills allows you to stay calm and react effectively. What to do in the event of choking, aspiration or burns? How does the help provided to the youngest differ? Why is a quick reaction so important and how to prepare a safe environment for a child?

First aid for infants and small children: the foundation of safety

Awareness of the principles of first aid is an absolute must for every parent and caregiver. As Adrianna Cienkusz emphasizes, emergency situations happen unexpectedly, and the ability to react correctly can save the health and even life of a child.

"Choking, choking - this is what usually happens" - says the expert, pointing out the most common threats in the youngest. "This is a moment (...) when it is important to know about it, how to react quickly."

Choking/choking: how to help a toddler?

What to do when a child starts choking, coughing, and their face turns blue?

1. Assess the situation: The most important thing is to observe whether the child is coughing effectively. "If they are coughing, it means that they are coping, that everything is fine" - explains Adrianna. In such a situation, let the child cough up the foreign body on their own, observing it carefully.

2. When to intervene? If the cough becomes ineffective, the child has difficulty breathing, turns blue or loses consciousness – act immediately! "If they are no longer able to cough, are unable to take a breath (...) this is the moment when we should start acting" – emphasizes the rescuer.

3. Hit between the shoulder blades: Place the infant on your forearm, head slightly down. Give 5 vigorous blows with your wrist between the shoulder blades

4. Chest compressions: If the blows do not help, turn the child onto their back (still head down). Give 5 chest compressions with two fingers in the middle of the sternum (slightly below the nipple line).

5. Repeat the sequence: Continue alternating 5 blows and 5 compressions, checking after each series whether a foreign body has appeared in the mouth.

6. Call for help: If the child loses consciousness or the actions do not work, immediately call an ambulance (999 or 112) and start CPR if necessary.

Remember: "There is no such thing as harming my child" - reassures Ada, emphasizing that action is always better than inaction. The baby's sternum is flexible, and the force of blows and compressions must be adjusted, but firm.

Burns: Rapid cooling is essential

Burns from hot liquids are another common threat. How to proceed?

1. Immediate cooling: Pour running, lukewarm water over the burnt area as soon as possible for about 20 minutes. "The water should be lukewarm. What does that mean? I put my hand under it and see what happens. If in my opinion the water is not too cold, not too warm, it is lukewarm, it is okay, then I put the child's hand under it," instructs the expert. Cold water can cause the child's body to cool down.

2. Remove clothing (Carefully!): If the clothing is not stuck to the skin, gently remove it. Never tear off material that is stuck to the wound! In such a situation, pour water through the clothing.

3. Hydrogel dressing: After cooling, it is worth applying a hydrogel dressing to the burnt area. "This is a must have in every first aid kit," emphasizes Adrianna. These dressings cool, relieve pain and protect against infection.

4. Call for help: In the case of extensive burns, burns to the face, hands, feet, groin or chemical burns, always contact a doctor or call an ambulance.

Remember: "When it comes to burns, it is one of the most common causes of death among small children. I want to make this known," warns the paramedic. Let's not ignore even seemingly minor burns.

Safe environment: prevention is key

In addition to first aid skills, prevention is extremely important:

• Safe sleep for infants: There should be nothing in the cot except the child and a hard mattress. No pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, rung protectors - all of these increase the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
• Securing the home: When the child starts moving, secure sockets, corners, stairs (gates!). Remove small objects that could be swallowed from the reach of small hands.
• Kitchen caution: When cooking, use rear burners, turn pot handles to the wall. Never drink hot drinks while holding a child in your arms.

Appeal to parents: Knowledge and preparation instead of panic

Dear parents, the ability to provide first aid and awareness of potential threats is the best gift you can give your child. Don't be afraid to ask, train and prepare.

"I always say that it's better to know and not need, than to need and not know" - sums up Adrianna Cienkusz. Remember that in crisis situations, every second counts, and your knowledge and composure can work wonders.

The article is based on an interview with Adrianna Cienkusz, a paramedic and first aid instructor from TwójRatownik.pl, conducted as part of the Healthy Kids CLUUb.