5 Minor Kid Injuries and How to Treat Them

Quick—what’s the best thing to do for a burn? You (and your sitter) never have to wonder again, thanks to this first-response guide to the most common kid calamities.

Head Bump

What to do first: Assuming your child is conscious and responsive (if not, call 911), apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables for 20 minutes to reduce any swelling.

What to do next: Watch him carefully. Get medical help if there’s a change in his pupils (one is larger than the other, or they don’t react to light); he’s vomiting often or won’t eat; or he feels dizzy, has a worsening headache, or seems unlike himself. Otherwise, for the next 24 hours, check him every few hours to see if he’s still feeling well.

What not to do: He can sleep, but wake him every four hours to check in. And don’t let him play sports. Even if he’s feeling better, he needs to sit out the day.