At OC Safety, our mission is to make the world a safer place for everyone. We’re proud to help further that goal by providing comprehensive safety training & certification courses to individuals and organizations throughout the greater Orange County, CA area, but in addition to our safety classes, we strive to be a comprehensive resource for every aspect of safety. Safety is doubly important when it comes to kids, and with summer just around the corner, it’s important that parents and kids alike know how to handle some of the most common emergency situations that can arise. To help keep you and your children safe this summer, read on for a few simple summer safety tips custom-made for kids.
How to Handle Minor Emergencies for Kids
Summer is a time of play, fun, and exploration for kids everywhere. But inevitably, there will be some bruises and battle scars in the midst of the activity. Knowing how to handle a situation before it arises is critical to getting the best outcome, so to help make your summer a little safer, follow these helpful kid-focused safety tips:
- Bee Stings: Bee stings are a common occurrence in any outdoor environment, but normally they’re nothing to worry about. Contrary to popular belief, you shouldn’t attempt to “squeeze out” the venom after a bee sting, as this will only cause it to penetrate deeper into the skin. Instead, cool the area to restrict blood flow, then let the body’s immune system take over. And if your child has ever experienced an anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting, make sure they have an EpiPen on them at all times.
- Burns: Whether from a stove or the sun, burns hurt. Folk remedies say that placing butter on a burn can help, but this is a misconception: all this does is pose a risk of infection. Instead, cool a mild burn by running it under cool water for 10 minutes. If you see blisters, it’s probably best to seek professional medical treatment.
- Rashes: Nothing is worse than coming back from a hike and realizing all too late that you’ve trekked through poison ivy. If this happens, wash the affected skin in soap and cold water as soon as possible, and immediately wash all the clothes you wore on the hike. After washing off, soothe the affected skin with caladryl lotion.
- Bloody Nose: While many people will say that the key to fixing a bloody nose is tilting your head back, this is actually counterproductive. Instead, blow your nose first to clear out as much as possible, then simply pinch the lower nose for 10 minutes without letting go. If the bleeding still hasn’t stopped, it’s time to see a doctor.
Register for CPR & First Aid Certification Courses Today
We hope these tips help keep you and your kids safer this summer, and if you’re ready to take your safety up a notch, OC Safety is here to help. Take a look at our calendar of safety training classes to sign up for one of our CPR & First Aid certification courses. This will give you the crucial skills you need to respond to an emergency the right way and ensure you have the safest summer possible. We can’t wait to hear from you, and wish you a safe, injury-free summer!