Key Message 8:
Children under five years old are particularly at risk on the roads. They should always have someone with them and they should be taught safe road behaviour as soon as they can walk.
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Young children do not think before they run onto the road. Families need to watch them carefully.
Children should not play near the road, particularly if they are playing with balls.
Children should be taught to walk on the side of the road, facing traffic.
When crossing the road, young children should be taught to:
- stop at the side of the road
- look both ways
- listen for cars or other vehicles before crossing
- hold the hand of another person
- walk, not run.
Older children should be encouraged to look after younger children and to set a good example.
Bicycle accidents are a frequent cause of injury and death among older children. Families can prevent bicycle accidents if they make sure that children with bicycles are trained in road safety. Children should wear helmets or protective headgear when biking.
Children are at high risk of serious injury if they travel in the front seat of a car or unsupervised on the bed of a truck.
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First Aid Advice
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These first aid measures should be taken to prevent worsening of the situation if medical help is not immediately available.
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First aid for burns:
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If the child's clothing catches fire, quickly wrap the child in a blanket or clothing or roll her or him on the ground to put out the fire.
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Cool the burned area immediately. Use plenty of cold, clean water. If the burn is extensive, put the child in a bath or basin of cold water. It may take up to half an hour to cool the burned area.
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Keep the burned area clean and dry and protect it with a loose bandage. If the burn is bigger than a large coin or it begins to blister, take the child to a health worker. Do not break the blisters, as they protect the injured area.
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Do not remove anything that is sticking to the burn. Do not put anything except cold water on the burn.
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Give the child fluids such as fruit juice or water with a little sugar and salt.
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First aid for electric shocks:
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If the child has had an electric shock or burn, turn off the power before touching the child. If the child is unconscious, keep her or him warm and get medical help immediately.
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If the child is having difficulty breathing or is not breathing, lie the child flat on the back and tilt her or his head back slightly. Hold the child's nostrils closed and blow into the mouth. Blow hard enough to make the child's chest rise. Count to three and blow again. Continue until the child begins breathing.
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First aid for falls or road injuries:
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Injuries to the head and spine, especially the neck, are very dangerous because they can cause lifelong paralysis or be life-threatening. Limit movement of the head and back and avoid any twisting of the spine to prevent further injury.
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A child who is unable to move or is in extreme pain may have broken bones. Do not move the injured area. Steady and support it and get medical help immediately.
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If the child is unconscious, keep her or him warm and get medical help immediately.
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For bad bruises and sprains, immerse the injured area in cold water or put ice on the injury for 15 minutes. Do not put the ice directly on the skin; instead, use a layer of cloth between the ice and the skin. Remove the ice or water, wait 15 minutes and repeat if necessary. The cold should help reduce pain, swelling and bruising.
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First aid for cuts and wounds:
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For minor cuts and wounds:
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Wash the wound with very clean (or boiled and cooled) water and soap.
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Dry the skin around the wound.
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Cover the wound with a clean cloth and place a bandage over it.
For serious cuts and wounds:
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If a piece of glass or other object is sticking in the wound, do not remove it. It may be preventing further bleeding and removing it could make the injury worse.
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If the child is bleeding heavily, raise the injured area above the level of the chest and press firmly against the wound (or near it if something is stuck in it) with a pad made of folded clean cloth. Maintain pressure until the bleeding stops.
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Do not put any plant or animal matter on the wound, as this could cause infection.
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Put a bandage on the wound. Allow for swelling by not tying the bandage too tightly.
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Take the child to the health centre or get medical help immediately. Ask the health worker if the child should have a tetanus injection.
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First aid for choking:
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If an infant or child is coughing, do not interfere – let her or him try to cough up the object. If the object does not release quickly, try to remove the object from the child's mouth.
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If the object is still lodged in the child's throat:
For infants or small children: Support the head and neck. Turn the baby face down with the head lower than the feet. Deliver five blows to the back between the shoulder blades. Turn the baby face up and press firmly on the breastbone between the nipples five times. Repeat until the object is dislodged. If you cannot dislodge the object, take the child to the nearest health worker immediately.
For larger children: Stand behind the child with your arms around the child's waist. Form a clenched fist with your thumb against the child's body above the navel and below the rib cage. Put the other hand over the fist and give a sharp inward and upward thrust into the child's abdomen. Repeat until the object is dislodged. If you cannot dislodge the object, take the child to the nearest health worker immediately.
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First aid for breathing problems or drowning:
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If there is any possibility that the head or neck is injured, do not move the child's head. Follow the directions below without moving the head.
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If the child is having difficulty breathing or is not breathing, lie the child flat on the back and tilt her or his head back slightly. Hold the child's nostrils closed and blow into the mouth. Blow hard enough to make the child's chest rise. Count to three and blow again. Continue until the child begins breathing.
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If the child is breathing but unconscious, roll the child onto her or his side so that the tongue does not block breathing.
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First aid for poisoning:
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If a child has swallowed poison, do not try to make the child vomit as this may make the child more ill.
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If poison is on the child's skin or clothes, remove the clothing and pour large amounts of water over the skin. Wash the skin thoroughly several times with soap.
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If a child gets poison in her or his eyes, splash clean water in the eyes for at least 10 minutes.
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Take the child immediately to a health centre or hospital. If possible, bring a sample of the poison or medicine or its container with you. Keep the child as still and quiet as possible.
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