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First aid

First aid saves lives, and knowing what to do in an emergency can make all the difference.

The Baby and Child First Aid app offers easy-to-learn skills to help a child in a first aid emergency.

Having a basic first aid kit at home is essential for minor accidents and coughs and colds. Suggested items are:

  • plasters in a variety of different sizes and shapes 
  • small, medium and large sterile gauze dressings 
  • at least 2 sterile eye dressings 
  • triangular bandages 
  • crêpe rolled bandages 
  • safety pins 
  • disposable sterile gloves 
  • tweezers 
  • scissors 
  • alcohol-free cleansing wipes 
  • sticky tape 
  • thermometer (preferably digital) 
  • skin rash cream, such as hydrocortisone or calendula 
  • cream or spray to relieve insect bites and stings 
  • antiseptic cream 
  • painkillers such as paracetamol (or infant paracetamol for children), aspirin (not to be given to children under 16), or ibuprofen 
  • cough medicine 
  • antihistamine cream or tablets 
  • distilled water for cleaning wounds 
  • eye wash and eye bath 

It may also be useful to keep a basic first aid manual or instruction booklet with your first aid kit. Medicines should be checked regularly to make sure they're within their use-by dates.