Fast First Aid Tips for Common Accidents

Methods for patching up wounds, stocking a first-aid kit, and calming patients

Act Fast: If there's bleeding, first press firmly over the site with a clean cloth until it stops, anywhere from three to 15 minutes. Clean under lukewarm running water and gently pat dry. When a wound is dirty or was caused by an animal scratch, rinse it with water and gently lather with soap. If the skin is broken, apply a thin layer of an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment (like Neosporin or Bacitracin), then cover with a bandage or gauze and adhesive tape. If you can't control the bleeding after several attempts with direct pressure, call your pediatrician or 911, or head to an E.R. If a large piece of skin has been removed, wrap it in a clean, moist cloth and place it in a bag over ice -- a doctor may be able to reattach it. An animal bite that has caused a deep cut should be seen by a doctor.

Follow-Up Care: Dab on the anti-biotic ointment and apply a new bandage daily (or twice daily, if it's a large or deep wound) until the cut heals, so your child can't pick at it. If it appears to be forming or draining pus or becomes swollen, tender, or red, see a doctor right away to treat the infection. After the wound heals, slather on SPF 30 until it starts to fade, because newly healed skin can sunburn more easily, making any eventual scar more noticeable.

By Kelley King Heyworth