Medical emergencies
No one ever wants to think about medical emergencies, but if you have children, you will likely experience a medical emergency at some point in time. So not only should you think about emergencies, it’s a good idea to have an action plan ready for them.
Talk to your pediatrician
Your pediatrician may already have a handout that has information on who to call based on the type of emergency and the symptoms your child may be having.
Here are some questions that will be helpful to ask your pediatrician:
- How does your pediatrician want to be contacted when you suspect an emergency?
- Where should you go in the case of an emergency?
- How do you know when it is a medical emergency?
- What kind of medical/emergency kit should you keep on hand?
- Who should you call, and in what order?
- Does your pediatrician offer or recommend CPR classes?
Create an emergency contact sheet
Or you can click here to print and use the one we’ve already created for you. Your contact sheet should include:
Emergency information
- Poison Control Center: 1.800.222.1222
- Hospital name and phone
- Pediatrician name and phone
- Dentist name and phone
- Pharmacy name and phone
- Health insurance plan name, policy number, phone
Family information
- Parents’ names
- Kids’ names
- Address: street, city, county, state, ZIP code
- Mom’s cell number
- Mom’s work number
- Dad’s cell number
- Dad’s work number
- Emergency contact 1: name, relationship, phone
- Emergency contact 2: name, relationship, phone
- Kids’ cell phone numbers
Cook Children’s also recommends that you keep a list of your child's medications and to take that list with you to the emergency department or urgent care center. If your child is being transported by ambulance, the caregivers may also ask for a list of medications.
Keep your contact list in easy-to-access places. We recommend having a list in a central location where everyone in the family, along with babysitters and other caregivers, can easily access it, like on the refrigerator or a message center board. It is also good to have a list near each phone in your home.
Additionally, having a list on your cell phone is critical in case the power is out and your home phone isn’t working. To access the numbers quickly in your cell phone, you should list them using “emergency” as the keyword so it’s easy to find them:
- Emergency, hospital, phone
- Emergency, poison control, phone
- Emergency, urgent care, phone
- Emergency, pediatrician, phone
What is an emergency?
If your child is ill or injured, the following signs may suggest the need for emergency care:
- Fainting or loss of consciousness or if your child seems confused or disoriented
- Unexplained seizure
- Trouble breathing
- A stiff neck and/or a rash with high fever
- Loss of consciousness, confusion, headache or vomiting as the result of a head injury
- A cut that is large or deep
- Bleeding that won’t stop after applying pressure for five minutes
- A large burn, especially if it includes the chest, face, feet, groin or hands
- Pain that is persistent and/or increases in intensity
Should you call 9-1-1?
If your child is unconscious, a bone is sticking out or the situation seems critical, dial 9-1-1 immediately for an ambulance. When your child’s condition is life threatening or might cause permanent harm, it is safer for your child to be transported via ambulance.
If you are calling 9-1-1 from a cell phone be prepared to tell them your location and address.
Injuries or accidents that may result in a trip to the emergency room:
- Accidental poisoning including medicines, household cleaners, liquor (this includes beer and wine)
- Choking
- Electrical shocks
- Falls
- Guns, knives, and other weapons
- Near drownings
Learn basic CPR
Taking a basic CPR course could be the best time you’ll ever spend. If your child stops breathing, is choking, or is having a seizure, this knowledge could quite possibly be life-saving. Cook Children’s offers courses on a regular basis. To register for one, click here now. You can also find a course near you through the American Heart Association.
You can easily make it a family and friends event. Invite grandparents, caregivers and older siblings. And it might be good to schedule a refresher course each year so that you are always prepared for the unexpected.
Have a first-aid kit
Keep a first-aid kit at home and in your car. Click here for a complete listing of what your first-aid kit should contain.
What to do in an emergency
- Remain calm and call 9-1-1, if necessary
- Begin CPR, if the child is not breathing
- In the case of a seizure, place the child on the floor so that his/her body and head are turned to the side
- If your child is bleeding, apply a clean cloth and constant pressure to the wound
- Never move a child who is injured unless there is an immediate danger, like smoke inhalation or a fire
- If you suspect a poisoning, gather up any poisons, medications, etc., that you suspect your child has swallowed and take them with you to the emergency department. Tell the hospital if you suspect your child may have swallowed an item, like a small toy, marble, magnet, etc.
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