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Heading back to school can be as equally daunting for parents as it can be for the kids, especially for those parents of children starting school for the first time.

Director and First Aid instructor of First Aid For You (www.firstaidforyou.com.au) Mary Dawes has some advice for parents of kids who’ll be going to school in a few short weeks.

Send the kids off to school feeling empowered, give them their own first-­‐aid pouch to stay in their  backpack.

Kid-friendly First Aid kit items:

  • Spare pair of underpants – We know accidents happen, this way if one should happen,  your child has a pair of clean underpants “just in case”
  • Band-­‐Aids with characters – While the school will have a first aid kit on hand for major  accidents, it’s always wise to let kids have their own for smaller accidents or those that  happen between school & home. Plus having one of their favourite characters on the  Band-­‐Aids will act as a great distraction!
  • Laminated Sheet with Contact Numbers  -­‐ Nothing bigger than the size of a credit-­‐card,  the sheet should have parents, grandparents or carers contact details and any details of  medical conditions your child may have

Mary suggests sitting down with the kids before school starts and talk them through what’s in their own little first-­‐ aid kit.

By showing them what’s the in kit and discussing that accidents might happen and that it IS okay to cry,  will go a long way in helping your kids deal with an accident, says Mary.

Separate to the first aid kit should be a container with any medications, instructions and emergency contact details  if your child suffers from asthma or any allergies.

“Let your kids know, it’s okay to tell their friends and have the  teacher explain to the class any symptoms they need to be aware of – you may want to offer to come in and help  explain any difficult scenarios” adds Mary.

Importantly, educate the kids on the importance of seeking help as soon as possible after an accident, even if it’s  just a little graze.

“Some kids are bound to be more affected by a graze than others and that’s okay, educate your kids that everyone  reacts differently, that everyone needs help and the best people to do that are adults,” says Mary.

Finally, remember kids will be kids. There’s bound be a few bumps, scratches throughout the school year, it’s a  part of growing up!

“If your kids know what to do and how to act in an emergency, then your mind can rest a little easier,” finishes Mary.

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  • Thank you for the first aid kit ideas, simply brilliant! (-:

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  • What a great idea! My kids take spare undies after a bout of diarrhoea, just in case. They never really needed the first aid kit, but would be handy anyway

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  • all sorted thank you for the list to double check

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  • Thanks for sharing this interesting and informative article; very helpful additions to school bags!

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  • My children always had tissues and band-aids in their backpack. thanks for sharing this interesting article.

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  • great tips

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  • My kids always have a little first aid kit in their bag, I would rather teach them how to help others . The funny thing is the band aids tend to get used on others rather than themselves

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  • Laminated sheet with contact names and phone numbers – no smaller than a credit card.
    Laminated is shiny – sure they can’t scribble on it – but will they need a magnifying glass to read it in an emergency or will a responsible adult need one too.
    If you child takes medications on a regular basis there should also be a record of them at the school, also any drug allergies. Realisticly there should be a record of them in your child’s school bag. In the case of an accident they need to br able to check for details prior to a doctor or ambulance officer giving medication at all. Intearaction of medications or those a person is allergic to can have tragic consequences

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  • My girls carry band aids and tissues in their bag.

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  • Thank you for the tips here, these will be very handy.

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  • most schools won’t let the children have these items with them – they need to be in the office. Also the kids carry more than enough in there over-sized backpacks likely to cause back problems in their future there is no need to add any more items.

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  • Really great ideas. Thanks for the tips.

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  • Great read. Thanks for the tips.

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  • thanks for the reminder and good to make sure that the undies are still the right size for growing kids

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  • This is a very good article, thanks for sharing!

    Reply

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