More than 70% of parents have sought out emergency First Aid for themselves or their children.
With the school Summer Holidays nearly here, hospitals and doctors know that there will be an increase in accidents. Children are out playing more and a visit to A & E is much more likely.
Every year in The UK, one million children under 16 are taken to Accident and Emergency Departments in hospital as a result of accidents in and around the home. Half of these are babies and toddlers under the age of 5. However parents have little or no knowledge of basic and life-saving first aid to help their children should an accident occur, according to new research.
The majority of parents feel confident dealing with bruises, cuts and grazes and taking temperatures, research shows that they struggle delivering first aid for head injuries, broken bones, choking and other serious incidents. Only 39% of mums and dads can even perform basic first aid.
The research by Elastoplast reveals that mums are generally better than dads when it comes to first aid. A third of dads said that putting on plasters and giving a dose of Calpol is their limit whereas 42% of mums would be confident with ‘serious’ first aid including CPR and resuscitation as well as broken bones.
Key Facts:
 More than 70% of parents have sought emergency first aid treatment for their children - that is, taken them to A&E or called an ambulance.
A third of dads have been in a first aid situation where they were unable to cope - compared to only one in five Mums in a similar situation.
Three in five dads and more than a third of mums said they have not dealt with the children’s real injuries as well as they could have done.
One in three parents wouldn’t know what to do if their child is unconscious, swallowed foreign objects, been electrocuted or suffered from severe bleeding.
Despite 74% of parents ‘claiming’ they are completely confident dealing with cuts and grazes, in reality a whopping 73% of parents do not know the correct procedure to follow if their child has fallen over and cut or grazed themselves
Dr Mark Porter's Top Tips:
1. Stay calm and smile – your child will sense if you panic but will be reassured if you show you are in control and there to help them
2. Check your surroundings are safe – don’t put you or your child at risk
3. Reassure the child and keep them warm
4. A cuddle and a kiss can work wonders too!
5. Try to avoid children seeing blood – the sooner your child’s got a plaster on, the better they'll feel
6. Prevent infection – if possible wash your hands before applying dressings or wear disposable gloves
7. Be prepared – ensure you have a well stocked first-aid kit and replace anything you use as soon as possible
May 2009
For more information and first aid advice visit Elastoplast First Aid Advice | 
Why Eye Tests For Children Are Important
