September brings polished shoes, packed lunches and the annual mystery of how an entire summer holiday can disappear in approximately four minutes.
As children return to classrooms, nurseries, clubs and sports teams across North Wales, most parents are thinking about uniforms and timetables not emergencies. Yet bumps, burns, allergic reactions and spectacular playground tumbles are an unavoidable part of growing up.
Most childhood accidents are minor. The important thing is knowing when something needs a plaster, when it needs professional advice and when it is time to call 999.
Here are five first-aid skills every parent and carer should feel confident using.
1. Recognising and responding to choking
A child who is coughing loudly should be encouraged to keep coughing. A child with a severe airway obstruction may be unable to speak, breathe or cough effectively.
That distinction matters and it can be difficult to make when everybody is frightened.
Current UK guidance recommends back blows followed by chest thrusts for babies under one, or abdominal thrusts for children over one, when coughing is ineffective. If the blockage does not clear, call 999 and continue following the emergency call handler’s instructions. Never perform a blind finger sweep inside the child’s mouth. NHS choking guidance provides further information.
Choking is one of those emergencies that people assume they will instinctively know how to handle. In reality, practical training makes the correct actions far easier to recall under pressure.
2. Knowing when a bump on the head is more serious
Playgrounds, bicycles and enthusiastic games of football all create opportunities for a bumped head.
After a minor head injury, keep a close eye on the child. Seek urgent medical advice if you are worried, particularly if the child vomits, develops a persistent headache, behaves unusually or has problems with memory, balance or vision.
Call 999 if the child becomes unconscious, has difficulty staying awake, experiences a seizure, develops problems with movement or speech, or has clear fluid coming from the ears or nose.
Contrary to a common myth, a child with a minor head injury does not necessarily need to be kept awake. They do need appropriate assessment and responsible adult supervision. NHS advice recommends that an adult remain with a child for at least the first 24 hours following a minor head injury. See the latest NHS head-injury guidance.
3. Acting quickly during an allergic reaction
Food allergies can make school lunches, birthday treats and shared snacks more complicated.
A mild allergic reaction might cause an itchy rash, watery eyes or swelling around the face. Anaphylaxis is far more serious. Warning signs can include difficulty breathing, wheezing, swelling of the tongue or throat, dizziness, confusion or collapse.
If anaphylaxis is suspected:
- Call 999 immediately and say that you suspect anaphylaxis.
- Help the child use their adrenaline auto-injector if one is available and you have been trained to do so.
- Follow the emergency call handler’s instructions.
- Do not allow the child to stand or walk, even if they begin to feel better.
Parents should ensure that schools and childcare providers have an up-to-date allergy action plan and know where prescribed medication is kept.
4. Treating burns without reaching for the butter
Burns can happen around hot drinks, school kitchens, science lessons, campfires and hair-styling equipment.
Cool a burn under cool or lukewarm running water for at least 20 minutes. Remove nearby clothing or jewellery if it is not stuck to the skin, then cover the cooled burn loosely with cling film or a clean, non-fluffy dressing.
Do not use ice, butter, toothpaste or creams. These home remedies can make the injury worse or complicate its assessment.
Large, deep, electrical or chemical burns and burns involving the face, hands, feet, joints or genitals need professional medical attention. Contact NHS 111 if you are uncertain about a child’s burn. Read the current NHS advice on burns and scalds.
5. Handling cuts and nosebleeds calmly
Children can produce an alarming amount of drama from a tiny graze and sometimes an alarming amount of blood.
For a bleeding wound, apply firm, direct pressure with a clean dressing. If something is embedded in the wound, do not pull it out; press around it and seek medical help.
For a nosebleed, sit the child down and ask them to lean forward. Pinch the soft part of the nose, just above the nostrils, continuously for 10 to 15 minutes. Do not tilt their head backwards, as this can cause blood to run down the throat.
Seek urgent help if the bleeding is excessive, follows a head injury, causes breathing difficulty or does not stop after 10 to 15 minutes. The NHS nosebleed guide explains when further treatment is needed.
When should you call 999 for a child?
Call 999 if a child:
- Is not breathing or is struggling to breathe
- Is choking
- Is unconscious, unusually unresponsive, limp or floppy
- Has a seizure that does not stop
- Shows signs of a severe allergic reaction
- Has severe or uncontrolled bleeding
- Has suffered a serious injury
If you are unsure but do not believe the situation is immediately life-threatening, contact NHS 111 for advice.
First-aid confidence comes from practice
Reading first-aid advice is useful. Physically practising the skills is what helps them stick.
North Wales First Aid’s Emergency First Aid at Work course with the two-hour Paediatric First Aid +P bolt-on gives you practical experience of responding to emergencies involving adults, babies and children.
In one eight-hour day, you can gain two regulated qualifications: Emergency First Aid at Work and Emergency Paediatric First Aid. You’ll practise essential skills including adult, child and infant CPR, AED use, choking treatment, bleeding control, recovery positions and responding to seizures and minor injuries.
Courses are friendly, relaxed and hands-on, with public dates in Bangor and Wrexham. Training can also be delivered at your venue for groups of up to 12 people. Explore EFAW with the Paediatric First Aid +P bolt-on.
Nobody wants to imagine an adult or child needing emergency first aid. Learning what to do does not make an emergency more likely—it simply makes you more useful if one happens.
This September, add one more item to your back-to-school checklist: the confidence to help.
Frequently asked questions
What first-aid skills should every parent know?
Parents should know how to recognise choking, perform child and baby CPR, control bleeding, cool a burn, respond to anaphylaxis and identify warning signs after a head injury.
Is paediatric first aid different from adult first aid?
Yes. Some techniques including CPR, choking treatment and the use of certain equipment vary according to the child’s age and size. Practical paediatric first-aid training teaches these differences.
Where can I take a paediatric first-aid course in North Wales?
North Wales First Aid runs regulated paediatric first-aid training at InTec on Parc Menai in Bangor. Courses can also be delivered at workplaces and other suitable venues.
This blog post offers general awareness information and is not a substitute for practical training or professional medical advice. In a life-threatening emergency, call 999.