Raring2go! Bedford, Sandy & Biggleswade

raring2go .co.uk 29 Raring2go! HELPING HANDS According to the Children’s Burns Trust, 590 children are admitted to hospital following a severe burn or scald every month. Unsurprisingly, demand for NHS burns care soars in the Autumn in particular as we celebrate holidays like Halloween, bonfire night and Diwali. Prevention and good first aid are so important to reduce the number of burns and scalds that occur. So, as Autumn begins and we look forward to getting the sparklers out this November, let me help you swot up… How can you prevent burns? • The best way to enjoy fireworks is at an organised display but if you choose to host your own fireworks display do make sure to read all the safety warnings on a box of sparklers or fireworks before you use them. • Buy fireworks and sparklers from reputable sellers. • Don’t let children help! Children should enjoy the display from a distance (preferably from inside) and should not be allowed to handle fireworks, candles and matches. • Never give sparklers to children under the age of 5. Make sure that older children wear gloves, hold the sparkler at arm’s length and have a bucket of water nearby to put the used sparklers in – hot end down. • Avoid holding a baby or child when you have a sparkler in your hand in case they wriggle or try to reach for it. • Teach children to ‘Stop, Drop and Roll’ to ensure they know what to do if their clothes catch fire. Encourage them to practice stopping, dropping to the ground, covering their face with their hands, and rolling over a few times to put out the flames. How do you treat a burn? Cool the burn Use cold running water for a full 20 minutes. Keep the rest of the casualty nice and warm; especially children. Avoid cooling the burn with ice or using any creams, ointments or fats on the burn. Remove jewellery and loose clothing Do this gently and carefully, before the area starts to swell. Do not remove anything that is stuck to the burn. Don’t burst any blisters. Cover the burn Cover the cooled burn with a dressing that won’t stick. Cling film is ideal - discard the first two turns of the film and ‘lay’ it on the burn rather than wrapping it around. If you don’t have cling film use a sterile, non-fluffy and non-adhesive dressing or piece of material. When should you seek medical advice? • If the burn is larger than the palm of the casualty’s own hand • If the burn goes all the way around a limb • If the burn appears to looks yellow or waxy • If the burn is on the hands, feet, genitals or the face • If the burn is on a child • If you are unsure For more information on this topic visit www. cbtrust.org.uk or www. capt.org.uk Wishing you all a wonderful autumn. Kate x Kate runs Daisy First Aid in Bedford, Newport Pagnell and surrounding areas, providing multi award-winning and CPD accredited first aid classes to parents, carers and childcare professionals. Contact Kate for more information or to book a class Daisy First Aid Milton Keynes, Bedford and surrounding areas 07968037798 kate@daisyfirstaid.com www.daisyfirstaid.com/first-aid-bedford-milton- keynes/ Be burns aware this Autumn

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