First Aid Tips during Summer in partnership with Mini First Aid

We all love summer (if the weather ever decides to be kind!) and yet holidays and long days outside with the kids can present various first aid hazards. 

We got chatting with our friends from Mini First Aid, a family-run business that provides baby first aid classes on how to prevent or act on some of the most common hazards during summer. 

Here's our key first aid advice you need to know to enjoy an easy-breezy summer!

1. Wasp and bee stings

The curse of family picnics and impromptu ice lollies, wasp stings can really ruin a perfect summer moment. And whilst bees are nowhere near as irritating as wasps, they can still give a painful sting if your little one is unlucky.

Our advice for treating a sting is as follows:

• If the sting is visible, brush or scrape it off. DON’T use tweezers as you risk squeezing more poison into the wound
• Apply an ice pack or cold compress for at least 10 minutes. We’d recommend this cute little tiger to bring a smile back!
• Apply antihistamine cream (ask your pharmacist for a product suitable for your child) or WasUp to reduce pain at the site of the sting

Stings to the mouth should be treated differently:

• Stings to the mouth and throat can be dangerous. There is a risk of the tissues in the mouth and throat swelling which could cause the airway to become blocked
• Sucking on an ice cube or ice lolly or sipping cold water will help prevent swelling

When is it an emergency?

• Call 999 if the casualty shows signs of impaired breathing or swelling to the face, neck, tongue, mouth, lips or shows a wide-spread rash as this could indicate a severe allergic reaction

2. Sun safety

A dose of sunburn can really ruin a lovely summer's day. But when it comes to sun safety it’s not just a case of slapping any old sunscreen on and hoping for the best. Be mindful of the following:

• Children should be using AT LEAST SPF30 sunscreen. Make sure the product you are using also protects against both UVA and UVB rays
• Sunscreen should ideally be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure, to all exposed parts of the body
• When kids are swimming (or even just splashing around in the paddling pool), sunscreen needs to be reapplied immediately after coming out of the water, even if it is “water-resistant”
• Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours, even when not playing in the water, as it can be rubbed off when sweating and the sun naturally “dries” it off our skin
• Make sure you use enough sunscreen and don’t apply too thinly as the amount of protection given is then reduced – if you are unsure, this is one instance where more is better!
• Make sure your sunscreen has not passed its expiry date – most sunscreens have a 12 month limit on their ability to protect skin once opened, indicated by a little “open pot” symbol on the packaging. Otherwise you are just slathering your child in what is essentially expensive moisturiser!

3. Nettle stings

Forget the old wives’ tales as there is no scientific evidence that dock leaves help with nettle stings. In fact, rubbing anything on the sting is likely to make it worse, as it pushes the chemicals from the plant deeper into the skin, which can cause the reaction to be more severe and to last longer.

The best course of action for nettle stings is actually as follows:

1. It’s really important not to touch the area that has been stung for the first 10 minutes – this allows the plant chemicals to dry on the skin, which makes them much easier to remove. Try to distract your child as much as possible to stop them from touching the area; a well-timed treat or ice cream can work wonders!
2. After 10 minutes, use soap and water to wash away the chemicals from the surface of the skin.This can often be enough to relieve any pain, itching, or swelling. A clean cloth can be used if you aren’t close to soap and water, until the area can be cleaned properly.
3. After cleaning, you can use sticky tape to remove any remaining fibres from the skin.
4. A dose of antihistamine will relieve the itching. Topical creams like calamine lotion or hydrocortisone can also be applied to reduce redness and itching (but be careful to gently dab the cream instead of rubbing).
5. Children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen can be given if necessary to provide pain relief.
6. You can use a cold compress on the area to provide additional relief. Hot temperatures and scratching should be avoided, as these can further irritate the area.

4. Carry a first aid kit with you!

A summer’s day out with the family can be easily ruined by a minor accident. Make sure you pack a well-stocked, award-winning first aid kit like this one. Containing plasters of all shapes and sizes and a handy tube of Savlon antiseptic cream, that’s grazes and minor cuts covered. The instant cold pack is ideal for bites and stings, and the tweezers and non-alcohol cleansing wipes come in very handy for unwanted splinters. Presented in an attractive pouch, pop our kit in your change bag, rucksack or your buggy. You never know when you might need the bravery stickers (included!) to get your summer day out back on track!

For more first aid and medical advice and tips, subscribe to Mini First Aid weekly newsletter – it could just save a life.

Lastly, if you're unsure about what to do and want to speak to an safety expert, Mini first aid provides a 2 hour Baby and Child First Aid class that covers choking, burns, bleeding, CPR and meningitis awareness. It gives parents the skills and confidence to deal with a first aid emergency. As we always say at Mini First Aid, it's better to know it and not need it, than need it and not know it. You can find out more here.

psst, this blog was co-created with Mini First Aid, 'the' experts when it comes to Baby Safety!

They've kindly created an exclusive discount for Nimble customers on their branded products, just use NIMBLE15 to get 15% here!