Tip--Role play with your child how to respond if he receives a burn.

Unfortunately, all the first aid most children know is how to ask for a bandaid^®. It's important to teach your children first aid for a variety of situations, and then periodically review the skills. One common accident that occurs is burning--usually kitchen burns. Maribeth and Darwin Boelts, authors of Kids to the Rescue! First Aid Techniques for Kids, say that children as young as four can learn simple first aid for burns.

Tools--Role play the following scenario with your child. Act it out for him at first, and then ask him to act it out with you.

"Let's pretend that I'm going out to pick corn on the cob for dinner. I ask you to start the pot of water boiling while I pick. You start the water simmering. You notice little bubbles forming around the edges of the pot. The handle of the pot is sticking out over the edge of the stove--you decide to move it to the back of the stove for safety. But the pot tips as you turn it and some boiling water splashes onto your arm."

Here's how to help:

Putting a burn in cold water helps--no matter if you get burned from fire, or something else that is hot. (Note: for clothes on fire, the best technique is Stop, Drop & Roll. Make sure your children know the difference in treating a burn and putting out clothes on fire.)

You’ll find more practical tips you can use right now in Kids to the Rescue! First Aid Techniques for Kids by Maribeth and Darwin Boelts.

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