CHOKING

When a small child chokes on an object, he will usually start coughing on his own. In this case, all you should do is observe (it could be necessary for you to help extract the foreign object from the inside of the mouth).

It is possible that, while he is choking, the child is not able to cough (or cry) if this is the case, ASK FOR MEDICAL HELP. Until help arrives, place the child face down on your lap, and while holding his head, slap him 4 consecutive times between the shoulder blades. Afterwards, look to see if the object is inside his mouth; repeat the process if necessary.

POISONING

If you suspect or are sure that your child might have ingested some type of medication or poison (as the majority of house hold cleaning products are) you must go to an emergency service as soon as possible; meanwhile: Do not try to have the child throw up (cleaning products are caustic and burn the throat when passing through it). Take a sample of toxic product to the hospital (wrapper, leftover pills, boxes, etc.) to facilitate identification. If you are far from a clinic, call the National Center for Toxicology 91 562 04 20. (24 hours a day).

BURNS OR SCALDINGS

Before anything else, be sure to eliminate the source of heat that has caused the burn (cover the pan if it has caught fire, unplug the iron, etc.)
Cool the burn inmediately, placing the affected area under running cool water for 10 minutes or more if the pain persists.
In the case of extensive burns, cover the area with a clean cloth and go to an emergency service.
Do not apply creams, lotions or pomades; home-remedies such as oil, vinager, or thoothpaste are not recomended either.
Do not try to lance a blister caused by a burn.
Do not remove the victim´s clothes, except in the case of scalding (burns produced by very hot liquids).

FRACTURES

If you suspect a fracture (for example because of a fall) remain calm and try to calm the child; about all, make sure the area is made safe to avoid another accident. Hold the affected member with your hands and improvise some sort of inmobilization, using the clothing itself, for example, a handkerchief, etc; this will help to calm the pain.
Ask for, or go to an emergency service, where the necesary treatment will be provided.

HEMORRAGE

If your child is bleeding, first make the area safe to avoid another accident. Avoid having the child stand (he could become dizzy and fall).
Apply presure directly on the wound with the help of gauze or compresses that are as clean as possible. If you do not suspect a fracture, elevate the area. Maintain pressure for 10 minutes. This is normally enough time to stop the hemorrage.

WOUNDS

In order to clean a wound, always follow these steps: Before doing anything, wash your hands with soap and water and afterwards rub them with alcohol allowing them to air-dry. Clean the wound with soapy water or an antiseptic (hydrogen peroxide or saline solution) by pouring it on the wound. Afterwards, dry off with a sterile gauze, from the center towards the radius of the affected area. Brush the area with an antiseptic solution (such as iodized povidone) and when in doubt, go to the doctor. Never use cotton, alcohol, undiluted iodine or creams that contain antibiotics directly on a wound