First Aid

Ticks are small, eight-legged bugs, usually brown or black in color. They are the second leading carrier of diseases to humans, second only to mosquitoes. Warm summer weather makes ticks more active, so it is important to be extra vigilant when s...

No Such Thing as "Sunblock": Labeling Rules for Sunscreens Did you know the words "waterproof," "sweatproof," and "sunblock" can no longer be used on sunscreen labels? Recent rules implemented by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are a...

Burns are ugly, they hurt and they're scary. But they can be treated with simple first aid steps. In fact, they're the one injury that must be treated before medical help arrives. The fact is that burns, unless treated right away, will get worse...

If your child plays an organized sport, you know the importance of wearing a helmet. But, new reports show your child's risk of getting a concussion are higher than ever before. Do you know what signs and symptoms to look for if your child suffer...

Your Guide to Sunscreen for All Ages Do you know what to look for in a sunscreen? Whether your little one has fair or dark skin, the right sunscreen is essential to help protect against sunburn and harmful UVA and UVB rays. Follow these importa...

Do you know all the steps to performing CPR? Take this quiz to see if your skills are up-to-date. ...

First Things First: If you suspect someone is drowning, notify a lifeguard and call for help. Do not waste anytime.  Rescue is only half the job. Reviving someone who has drowned or swallowed water is the other half, and it's equally importa...

Help Save a Life: Learn CPR Would you know what to do if your child went into cardiac arrest? Calling 911 should always be the first step, but before medical professionals arrive, immediately performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) will gr...

Be prepared for bumps and bruises with your toddler with this first-aid checklist. ...

In Case of Emergency: First Aid for Toddlers The toddler years could be called the first-aid years. Your baby's rapidly increasing mobility will give her many more chances to injure herself. So while you may have needed little more in the way o...

Bandaging Wounds Bandages have three purposes: to keep wounds clear of infection, to contain bleeding, and to provide additional protection and support. Sterile gauze is preferable, but in an emergency just about anything will make a good bandag...

Fill out this printable with your child's important medical history and information, and keep it on hand in case of an emergency. ...

First Aid for ChildrenBaby DoctorAn oral syringe generally provides the greatest accuracy in measuring medication. It also results in the least amount of spilled or lost medication. And when your child gets older, he'll probably enjoy squirting t...

First-Aid Kits for Outdoor Adventurers Some prepackaged first aid kits are better than others. Here are some near-perfect prepackaged kits that are available: The Walkabout First Aid Kit from Atwater and Carey. In addition to the usual first ai...

Treating Dog Bites and Cat Scratches Be Aware! Some physicians have found cat scratch fever in patients complaining of fatigue, swollen glands, and flu-like symptoms. Sometimes a minor cat claw scratch can set off an allergic reaction or an in...

Smoke Inhalation: How to Avoid It and How to Treat It When you breathe in a gulp of air, it travels down your windpipe (or trachea). Rings of cartilage keep the windpipe from collapsing so that the air can easily move through the windpipe, past ...

Seizures: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment A seizure or convulsion happens suddenly. There's rarely any signal. Nor can the person about to have a seizure say, “Watch out! Here comes a seizure!” The person hasn't a clue that a seizure is about...

Temporary Treatment for Sprains and Breaks You see children with broken arms or fingers much more often than you do adults. It's a good thing, too. Bones get more brittle with age. An adult's broken arm would take longer to heal, and it might le...