Posted by Keri Hartwright Last updated 21st February 2021 reading time
Do children really need to know first aid?
Over the last year we have all been spending a lot more time at home with our family and this includes our children.
Life can be really unpredictable, you can never predict when you will face an emergency and need to get help. What if your child was at home alone with you and en emergency struck? Would they know what to do in the event of an emergency?
Following on from a conversation that I had with my mum about the importance of children knowing their address, and what age they should know this as well as a chat about getting help in an emergency it highlighted to me to the importance of sharing this information in a timely way.
Not only will knowing their address be helpful for calling an ambulance, but also in the event that they get lost some time.
When should I teach them?
I used to teach first aid for children from as young as 3, my own daughter knew our address and post code from around 2 & a half years of age, and the owner of a local nursery books me every year to deliver a session to those heading to reception on first aid.
Ultimately teach them their address as young as possible. Going into a nursery and asking children where they are from it can range from “England” to “London”, there are a few who will know their road name. If they don’t know where they live their chances of getting help when they most need it is slim.
On a previous course I had a mum bring her 4 year old to learn first aid as his dad had collapsed at home and stopped breathing out of the blue which had been scary for them all.
What do they need to know?
It is important to reiterate to them that getting an adult to help is a priority and that is what I always teach on my courses. If the adult that has responsibility for them is taken ill they need to know.
Their address
The emergency phone number and how to dial it
What to tell them if they need to get some help
The importance of checking for danger before going to help.
Some basic things like putting their finger under running water if they get burnt.
Putting pressure on a cut if there is a lot of blood.
How do I book a course?
I can deliver courses for small groups of children (covid permitting) and hold open courses during the holidays. Whether you have a new baby on the way and want to teach your children how to deal with an emergency, or have a new diagnosis you are concerned about, there is never a bad time to learn first aid. Children are like sponges and love to learn.
If you would like to find out more or do a course as a family, why not get in touch?
