While summer holidays spent with our little ones can be truly magical,the Australian summer presents some unique safety concerns. As a paramedic of 10 years,I’ve seen most of them firsthand.
Don’t be fooled by their smiles;they take child safety very seriously at Cradle and Kin.Paul Robinson
Having spent months meticulously planning the perfect Christmas break,the last thing you want is to end up in the emergency department with sick or injured kids.
Don’t forget the saying:prior preparation prevents piss-poor performance! So,as a mum and paramedic,here are my top tips so that you will know the risks,and prepare by reducing or eliminating them as best you can to keep your kids safe this festive season.
Water safety
In my work,I have seen the devastating consequences of kids not being closely supervised around water. To reduce the risk of drowning:
Water safety tip:Dress kids in bright-coloured bathers,the brighter the better. This makes them more visible when underwater.
Burns
Hot tip:it’s not just the scorching Aussie sun that can cause damage to delicate skin. Some lesser known causes of burns include:
Zoe and Maggie conduct paediatric first aid training.Supplied
Basic burns treatment:
Remove: all clothing,jewellery and heat storing sources (such as nappies) that are not stuck to the burn,you may need to cut around clothing.
Cool: As soon as possible hold the burn under cool running water for aminimum20 minutes.
Cover: Cover the burn with a non-stick dressing,avoid wrapping due to swelling (Glad wrap works well).
Help: If the burn is minor and does not lead to any blistering or broken skin it can usually be managed at home. All other burns require assessment by a doctor.
Heat-related illnesses
Due to their body size and lack of fluid reserves,kids overheat and dehydrate quickly.
Identifying heat stroke:If your child has been sunburnt and has a fever,nausea,vomiting or a headache there is a good chance they have heat stroke and should be assessed by a doctor.
Travelling
Travelling with kids isn’t everyone’s idea of a good old time. However,if you are keen to give it a crack,here are a few things you can do prior:
Toy safety
Despite your best efforts,life happens,so there may be times you need medical attention.
If your child is sick or injured,but it’s not exactly a life threatening emergency,it’s super handy to know there are plenty of alternative care options around that don’t involve a four-hour wait in ED (sign me up).
Keep in mind that while some of these services are free or provide bulk billing,others will have out-of-pocket expenses.
In the case of a life-threatening emergency call 000 for an ambulance or get your child to an ED urgently.
Health direct1800 022 022. A free hotline available 24/7,speak to a registered nurse for non-urgent general medical advice.
Locum serviceGPs that provide house calls on weekends and after hours. A quick Google search will provide you with heaps of options.
Urgent care centreRun by well known companies such as Medicare and St John Ambulance,you can head on down to see a doc whenever injury or illness strikes,no appointment needed!
They have on-site X-ray (so they can manage sprains or fractures),can glue or stitch wounds,manage minor burns and treat general illness. Some even have on-site dental services.
Paediatric telehealth video consultThroughout the country there are a number of virtual paediatric urgent care clinics. These services provide medical consults for 0-17 year olds via video with a paediatric doctor.
Virtual clinicsStaff at virtual clinics can assess your child,provide advice,write scripts and referrals. Some will even admit you to their virtual hospital ward,regularly checking in on you and your child. Pretty cool hey! Visit or
From the Cradle and Kin family we wish you a holiday period full of laughter,joy and happiness … oh,and a safety record that would make even Santa jealous.
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