FIRST AID FOR PARENTS
Learn the essential first aid steps every parent should know, explained simply and calmly by a UK paramedic mum. Choking, burns, fevers, breathing problems — here’s what really matters and when to call 999.
First Aid for Parents: The Complete UK Guide
⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: This first aid for parents guide provides educational information only. It does not replace professional medical advice. In any emergency, call 999 immediately. For medical concerns about your child, always consult your GP or healthcare provider.
By Johnee (Jo) Whalen HCPC Critical Care Paramedic, NHS Resuscitation Practitioner, RCUK Instructor
Medically Reviewed: 24/11/2025
Last Updated: 12/02/2026
The calm, clear guide every mum deserves.
This first aid for parents guide is the tell all from one UK mum to another and will give you the essential first aid steps every parent needs — choking, burns, head injuries, breathing issues, fevers, allergic reactions, first aid kits, babyproofing, and when to call 999.
And what the NHS UK has to say about it all.
It’s designed to help you feel calm, capable, and confident in moments every parent fears.
Coming from a paramedic who’s a mum of 2 and been exactly where you are now.
I am sharing this information because it should be common knowledge - these are not mystical medical secrets.
Society just forgot to pass it onto the next generation.
So here we are, let’s chat, and take back the knowledge that should have always been ours - how to be there for our kids when they need us the most!
(Without sh*#ing ourselves in the process!)
Why Every Parent Needs First Aid Skills (And What to Learn First)
Parenting doesn’t come with a manual — especially in emergencies.
Being the calm and confident parent in that moment isn’t about having all the answers.
It’s about knowing what actually matters and acting quickly.
As a paramedic mum, here’s what I know:
✨ Parents don’t need perfection
✨ Parents don’t need jargon
✨ Parents don’t need fear
Parents need clarity, calm, and the right steps at the right time.
There are many public resources for parents to help build confidence and knowledge about first aid for children and babies which include St John’s Ambulance and the British Red Cross.
Project CPR aims to become one of the many, a partnership of resources, delivering highly accessible first aid training for parents and caregivers!
This knowledge should be handed down from generation to generation, so why is it so difficult to access? Because parents don’t have the benefit of time anymore. Life has made it nearly impossible for parents of young kids to access these brilliant resources by limiting our time.
That is why we have developed Panic to Prepared: Online Parent First Aid for Busy Parents. It’s bite sized, parent friendly -no fluff - content, that can be watched in 5 minutes before your evening Netflix session!
Why shouldn’t first aid be this easy? Check out Panic to Prepared here.
The Most Common Childhood Emergencies
Choking
Choking is the #1 fear for new parents — and choking rescue is one of the easiest skills to learn.
In my opinion, no one should ever start a weaning journey without having some choking rescue first aid knowledge.
And one better - a back up plan that lives in their kitchen. For the 30% of times that traditional choking rescue doesn’t work.
Check out the LifeVac Anti-Choking Device here. It’s saved over 5009 lives to date; over 3000 were children. This is literally the difference between life and death and it is as easy to use as place, push, pull.
If your child is coughing:
✔ Encourage them to cough.
✔ Stay close.
✔ Don’t sweep blindly with your fingers to get the obstruction out.
If they can’t cough / breathe:
Under 1:
5 back blows
5 chest thrusts
Repeat
Use the LifeVac Anti-Choking Device
Over 1:
5 back blows
5 abdominal thrusts
Repeat
Use the LifeVac Anti-Choking Device
If they go unresponsive → Call 999 + start CPR
Burns & Scalds in Children: What Every Parent Needs to Know
Hot drinks are the single biggest cause of burns in babies and toddlers in the UK — and it happens in a split second. A cup of tea left an inch too close to the edge. A moment's distraction. The difference between a minor injury and a serious one almost always comes down to what you do in the next two minutes.
“The single most important thing you can do: cool the burn under running water for 20 full minutes. Start immediately. Don’t stop early.”
What to do if your child is burned or scalded:
Get them away from the heat source
Cool under cool or lukewarm running water — 20 minutes minimum
Remove clothing and jewellery near the burn — but never pull anything stuck to the skin
Keep the rest of their body warm with a blanket while you cool the burn
Cover loosely with cling film once cooled
Seek medical advice — all burns in children need to be assessed
Never apply butter, toothpaste, ice, or any cream to a burn. These trap heat, make the injury worse, and delay treatment.
Call 999 or go straight to A&E if:
The burn is larger than the palm of your child's hand
The skin looks white, waxy, or charred
The burn is on the face, hands, feet, neck, or joints
Your child has inhaled smoke or fumes
You notice signs of shock — pale skin, rapid breathing, drowsiness
If you are ever unsure — go.
There is no such thing as being overcautious with a burn in a young child.
Guidance based on current NHS and Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) guidelines.
Content written and reviewed by Johnee (Jo) Whalen, HCPC Registered Critical Care Paramedic and RCUK Life Support Instructor. In a life-threatening emergency, always call 999.
Head Injuries
Ok here’s one - your toddler is jumping on the bed, because they find it hilarious and your £500 not-a-trampoline is better than any bog standard trampoline. And…. it comes fully equipped with a parachute and pillow weapons.
But instead of jumping up they jump head first into the damn wall (you knew you should have put up the squishy headboard a week ago).
THUD
They get up and carry on… because apparently toddlers are built of unicorn dust, pure titanium and courage.
But sometimes you should worry when they smash their noggin.
When to Worry After a Head Bump
Call 999 or go straight to A&E if your child:
Was knocked out - even if they have woken up and now feel better.
Can't stay awake or keep their eyes open
Has a seizure or fit
Fell from higher than 5 stairs or 1 metre
Can't see, hear, or feel properly
Has clear fluid or blood coming from their ears or nose
Has trouble walking, talking, or understanding you
Hit their head at speed (car accident, bike crash, diving)
Has something stuck in the wound or a dent in their head
Go to A&E if your child:
Has a bump, cut or bruise bigger than a golf ball (5cm) on their head
Has vomited since the bump
Has a headache that won't go away
Seems more irritable, distracted, or loses interest in things (especially under 5s)
Is crying more than usual (babies and toddlers)
Seems confused or has memory problems
Also go to A&E if:
Your child takes blood thinners or has a bleeding disorder
Your child has had brain surgery before
Remember: Some symptoms show up days or even weeks later. Trust your gut — you know your child best.
Breathing Problems
Kids Get Sick Differently Than Adults — Here's What You Need to Know
Think of it like this: a new car vs an old beater.
When adults get sick, we look rough from the start — and we slowly get worse. We're the old beater sputtering along, giving you plenty of warning signs.
But kids? They're like new cars with all the fancy systems. They have an incredible ability to keep running smoothly — even when things are going wrong under the hood.
Here's what that looks like in real life:
Your child has a cold or flu. For most of the illness, they seem totally fine. Playing. Eating. Acting normal. They're using every bit of energy and strength they have to protect their most important organs — their brain, heart, and lungs.
Then suddenly — when they've used up all their fuel and can't compensate anymore — they crash fast.
One minute they're okay. The next, they've deteriorated quickly.
This is why watching your child closely during illness matters so much. They might look fine — until they're not.
Trust your gut. If something feels off, even if they seem okay, get them checked.
Call 999 If Your Child:
Can't breathe properly:
Makes grunting noises when breathing
Sucks their tummy in under their ribs when breathing
Changes color:
Lips or skin turn very pale, blue or grey
(On brown or black skin, check their palms)
Acts suddenly confused:
Suddenly agitated or behaving oddly
Crying constantly and can't be calmed
Goes floppy or unresponsive:
Limp or floppy body
Head falls to the side, back or forward
Can't lift their head
Won't focus on your face or respond like normal
If you see any of these — call 999 straight away.
Fever
Fever is a funny one - there are so many myths and wives tales and home remedies for fever.
If there was one thing I wish every parent knew about fever it’s this:
FEVER IS SAFE & IMPORTANT.
Fever is the bodies natural way of fighting infection.
Fever doesn’t need to be broken - it needs to be embraced.
Give medication to help provide comfort if they are miserable - otherwise leave the fever be!
Febrile seizure can not be caused or prevented; and is rarely dangerous.
Safe to monitor at home if:
drinking normally even if little interest in food
alert between naps
breathing comfortably
Seek help if:
baby < 3 months
if they are difficult to rouse
they have a stiff neck or changes to their vision
they have a rash that doesn’t fade with the glass test
any difficulty breathing
becoming dehydrated (less than 6 wees in 24 hours)
or you are worried (parental instinct is important)!
Allergic Reaction
The one thing that is important for all parents to know is when allergy has become anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergy and must be treated quickly.
When to call 999
Any allergic reaction that affects:
their airway (either by facial swelling or tightness in their throat)
breathing
or how alert they are
Must be assessed by either a paramedic or an emergency department doctor.
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Blog Post Title Three
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Four
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.