Toddlers are bound to hurt themselves. They are still too young to understand the seriousness or the dangers of injuries but they are big enough to test their physical limits. When your toddler is constantly on the move, they are bound to hurt themselves (1). It is essential to have a first aid kit around at all times. Do you have your toddler first aid kit essentials? Are you prepared for emergencies?
Yes, you need a special first aid kit if you have a toddler around. It is very similar to a regular first aid kit but contains a few extra items that you may need when handling a hurt toddler. You cannot reason with a hurt toddler and ask them to wait around while you go looking for certain things. Don’t worry, we will help you get your toddler first aid kit together.
In This Article
What to Include in a Toddler First Aid Kit?
Are you a parent or a grandparent wondering what you may need for a toddler first aid kit? Here is a list of items you ought to have in your first aid kit. Some of them may seem unnecessary but that is the point of a first aid kit. You never know when you may need some particular item. The best option is to stock them rather than go searching for them.
1. An Up-to-Date First Aid Manual
With new illnesses, come new medications and procedures. Ensure you download the latest first aid manual from the Indian Red Cross Society (2) or your local state government’s website. Having information about local first aid practices is very important as different countries may have different practices.
2. List of Emergency Phone Numbers
Make a list of emergency phone numbers that you may need when your toddler is hurt. This will include the numbers of your pediatrician, the closest hospital, ambulance service, fire department, neighbors, as well as immediate family members. Ensure you have the number of family members you may want to reach out to for help.
3. Sterile Gauze Pads of Different Sizes
You can use gauze pads to arrest bleeds. Ensure you have them in sterile packets that are easy to open. Stock at least two different sizes.
4. Adhesive Tape
You will need adhesive tape to tape the gauze or bandage. In case of a bad injury, you may want to tape a few cloth bits until you can take your toddler to the hospital.
5. Adhesive Bandages (Band-Aids) in Several Sizes
Adhesive plasters (band-aid) come in different sizes. Ensure you have the regular size, the dots, and the squares. They can come in handy for small scrapes and cuts. Also, stock waterproof variants as toddlers tend to get these plasters wet very easily.
6. An Elastic Bandage
You may need an elastic bandage for sprains or twisted limbs. Toddlers are infamous for jumping and getting their limbs into odd positions.
7. A Splint
One can use a splint in case of broken bones. You may not know how to use a splint but it is a good idea to stock it. Get the splint around the damaged area and hold it together with some bandages until you can reach the nearest hospital.
8. Antiseptic Wipes
Antiseptic wipes can come in handy many times. These are easier to use than dipping cotton in an antiseptic solution to clean your toddler’s wounds. Also, toddlers will not stand still until you go through the entire process of dipping cotton wool in some solution.
9. Thermometer
You never know when your toddler will develop a fever. In case of a high fever, you may have to rush your toddler to the doctor or the nearest hospital. It is always a good idea to know the temperature before you can give even the regular fever medicine.
10. Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizers are very important even if we are out of the COVID-19 pandemic scenario. Always sanitize your hands and your toddler’s hands before you touch a wound.
11. Sharp Scissors
You will need a pair of sharp scissors to cut the bandages or gauze. Ensure the scissors are well covered so that you don’t accidentally cut yourself while searching for it.
12. Safety Pins
You never know when you may need safety pins to hold things together. It can come in handy while dressing a wound, wrapping a wound with cloth or gauze, or even when using a splint.
13. Disposable Instant Cold Packs
Toddlers tend to bump their heads and other body parts very frequently. Cold packs can come in handy for immediate compression. They can help prevent a bulge or bump from forming. You can even get hot and cold packs – packs that can be used either way.
14. Alcohol Wipes or Ethyl Alcohol
It is a good idea to stock alcohol wipes. You can use them to clean wounds as well as instruments before using them on your toddler. Alcohol wipes can help remove germs from a surface, something you ought to have in your first aid kit.
15. Antibacterial Cream
Toddlers can put their hands into the most unimaginable areas. They can get insect bites too. It is essential to stock antibacterial cream that is approved by your doctor. Have a small size of the cream that you can open and use easily. Preferably stock a cream that doesn’t sting on application.
16. A Pain- and Fever-Relieving Medication
Ask your doctor and stock some basic paracetamol for your toddler. You can use them to treat fevers, body aches, or pains. They can put your toddler at ease and help them sleep well too. Ensure you note down the dosage after asking your doctor. Dosages will change with the toddler’s age and weight. So update the dosage information regularly.
Having a first aid kit at home is essential. If you have a toddler around, it is very important to have a toddler first aid kit in the house. Also, carry it with you when you travel with your toddler. If you want to be extra cautious you can always keep one kit in your car, for emergencies. Ensure you routinely check the contents of the first-aid kit and update them regularly. There is no use for a first-aid kit with products past their expiry dates.
FAQ’s
1. Why do I Need a Toddler First Aid Kit at Home?
If you have a toddler at home, it is important to have a first aid kit specifically curated for them. Toddlers are injury prone and they cannot handle the injuries like adults or even older children. They need care that is both age-appropriate as well as swift.
2. Can You Use an Adult’s First Aid Kit For a Toddler?
Yes, in case of an emergency, you can always use items from the adults’ first-aid kit, for your toddler. While you can use items like bandages, plasters, antiseptic wipes, etc., you cannot use medications that are meant for adults. You need to use only those medicines that are prescribed for toddlers.
3. What Are The 5 Main Things to Store in a Toddler’s First Aid Box?
Ensure your toddler’s first aid box contains age-appropriate paracetamol, adhesive plasters, or Band-Aid of various sizes, antiseptic wipes, a thermometer, and gauze.
References
- Understanding Toddlers’ In-Home Injuries: I. Context, Correlates, and Determinants – [https://academic.oup.com/jpepsy/article/29/6/415/973704?login=false]
- Indian First Aid Manual – [https://www.indianredcross.org/publications/FA-manual.pdf]
