A FORMER paramedic has revealed three household items that could save your child’s life.
Nikki Jurcutz, founder of child first aiders Tiny Hearts Education, said she always keeps them in her house “just in case”.
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You should always stock up on honey, hair removal cream and cling film, she said.
These can treat everything from burns to your child accidentally swallowing a battery.
SWEET RELIEF
In an Instagram video, she said: “As a former paramedic, here are three things I’ll always have in my house just in case.
“Honey for accidental button battery swallowing.
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“Button battery ingestion is a serious medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention.”
One to two children die every year in the UK from swallowing batteries, according to the Child Accident Prevention Trust.
Last year, NHS England issued a warning to parents around the Christmas holidays about the increased risk.
Professor Simon Kenny, NHS national clinical director for children and young people, urged parents to make sure “loose batteries are securely out of reach”.
He said: “Unfortunately we are seeing an increase in the number of children at hospital because they have swallowed a foreign object.
“The consequences can be devastating, especially when that object is a button battery causing irreversible damage.”
If your child has trouble breathing after accidentally swallowing one, you should call the emergency services immediately, Nikki said.
However if they can breathe, you should call the poisons hotline and take them to A&E.
In the meantime, US health guidelines suggest you give 10ml of honey to your child for 10 minutes for children aged over one year old.
But you should not delay going to hospital just to give them honey, she added.
HAIRY STUFF
Secondly, hair removal cream can be used to treat painful hair tourniquets — when hair gets wrapped around your child’s toe or finger, causing it to swell.
Tourniquets are relatively rare in children but generally occur from four days to 19 months, according to the NHS.
Nikki said: “If the tourniquet doesn’t appear too deep and there isn’t damage to the skin, you can try this treatment.
“Apply a small amount of hair removal cream to the area and leave for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
“If hair remains wrapped, take your child to the emergency department immediately.”
HOT TOPIC
Finally, cling film can be used to treat burns and prevent infections, she said.
Around 64,000 children have to go to A&E with burns every year in England.
NHS England recommends you stop the burning straight away by moving the affected area away from heat.
Remove clothing or jewellery near the area and cool the burn under cool or lukewarm — not iced — water for 20 minutes.
Nikki said: “After completing first aid on a burn, it should be covered to protect against further damage.
“It’s important to use something that won’t stick to the burn, as this can cause further damage when you go to remove the cover.
“Using something non-stick to cover the burn is so important. Something as simple as cling wrap does an excellent job.”