Young children sometimes have injuries and accidents. Most are minor, but it's a good idea to know what to do if the accident or injury is more serious.
Start by learning some basic first aid, or revise what you already know. St John Ambulance, British Red Cross and your local NHS Ambulance Service run first aid courses.
Your health visitor or local children's centre may also run courses.
If your child has an accident
It can be difficult to know when to call 999 for an ambulance and when to take your child to the accident and emergency department (A&E).
Use the following as a guide.
Call 999 if your child:
- stops breathing
- is struggling to breathe (for example, you may notice them breathing fast, panting, becoming very wheezy, or see the muscles just under their ribcage sucking in when they breathe in)
- is choking
- is unconscious or seems unaware of what's going on
- is limp and floppy (their head falls to the side, backwards or forwards)
- has a cut that will not stop bleeding or is gaping open
- will not wake up or cannot keep their eyes open for more than a few seconds
- has a seizure or fit
- has a swollen mouth, lips, throat or tongue
- has blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue - on brown or black skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- seems suddenly confused or distressed
- has been severely injured
- has swallowed a poison or too much medicine
- is bleeding heavily
Take your child to A&E or an urgent treatment centre if they:
- have a leg or arm injury and cannot use the limb
- have a button battery lodged in their nose or ear
If you're worried about your child and are not sure if they need medical help, call NHS 111.
If you're unsure whether you should move your child, make sure they're warm and call 999 for an ambulance.
Objects in a child's nose or ears
If your child has something lodged firmly in their nose or ear, leave it where it is. You may push it further in if you try to remove it.
Take your child to the nearest A&E department or minor injuries unit.
If their nose is blocked, show your child how to breathe through their mouth.
If a child has a cut
If there's a lot of bleeding, press firmly on the wound with a dressing or clean, non-fluffy cloth, such as a tea towel or flannel. Use your fingers if you do not have a clean cloth.
If there's an object embedded in the wound, like a piece of glass, do not remove it as this can make the bleeding worse. Press around the edges of the object, rather than directly on it.
If you can find a clean dressing, cover the wound. If blood soaks through the pad or dressing, replace it with a new one if possible.
Go to A&E or a minor injuries unit if:
- the cut keeps bleeding
- there's a gap between the edges of the wound
- there's something in the cut, such as a piece of glass
If the bleeding is severe, call 999.
If your child's vaccinations are not up to date, ask your GP or the hospital whether they should have a tetanus vaccine.
Video: How do I deal with cuts and bleeding? (12 to 30 months)
This video explains how to deal with cuts and bleeding.
Media review due: 10 October 2026
Burns and scalds in children
Remove any clothing or jewellery that's near the burnt area of skin, including nappies, socks and shoes. But do not try to remove anything that's stuck to the burnt skin, as this could cause more damage.
Immediately put the burn or scald under cool running water for 20 to 30 minutes, to reduce the heat in the skin.
If there's no running water, immerse the burn or scald in cold water or use any other cool fluid, such as milk or another cold drink. Do not use ice or very cold water as this can make the wound worse.
Make sure the child does not get too cold. Use a coat or blanket to keep them warm if necessary.
After the burn has cooled down, cover the burn or scald using clingfilm (lay cling film over the burn, rather than wrapping it around), a clean plastic bag, or something clean and non-fluffy like a cotton pillowcase or linen tea towel. This will reduce the risk of infection.
Do not put ice, butter, toothpaste, cream, gel, oil or ointment on a burn or scald.
Blisters will burst naturally - do not burst them yourself as this can cause infection.
Depending on the severity of the burn or scald, see your GP or go to a minor injuries unit or A&E.
Read more about burns and scalds.
Video: How do I deal with burns and scalds? (9 to 30 months)
This video explains how to deal with burns and scalds.
Media review due: 10 October 2026
If a child swallows a button battery or magnet
If your child swallows a button battery or magnet, or you think they may have swallowed one, call 999 or take them to A&E straight away.
Button batteries are small round, silver batteries found in lots of electrical toys and devices.
As well as being a choking hazard, button batteries can cause internal burns, internal bleeding, and sometimes death.
They can also cause burns if they're lodged in a child's nose or ear.
Find out more about:
If a child feels unwell or faint after an accident
If your child looks pale or feels unwell after an accident, lie them down. Keep them covered up and warm, but not too hot.
If your child feels faint, get them to keep their head down or, ideally, lie down. The faint feeling should wear off in a minute or two.
Find out more about:
Electrocution in children
Always turn off the power before approaching your child.
If this is not possible, push the child away from the source of the electricity with a wooden or plastic object, such as a broom handle.
Try tapping their feet or stroking their neck and shouting "hello" or "wake up".
If you get no response from your child, call 999 and start CPR straight away. Find out how to resuscitate a child.
Broken bones in children
If you think your child's neck, spine or pelvis may be injured, call 999 for an ambulance. Do not move them. Unnecessary movement could cause paralysis.
A bone in your child's leg or arm may be broken if they have pain and swelling, and the limb seems to be lying at a strange angle.
If you cannot easily move your child without causing pain, call 999 for an ambulance.
If you have to move your child, be very gentle. Put one hand above the injury and the other below it to steady and support it (use blankets or clothing if necessary). Comfort your child and take them to hospital.