First aid for children: 6 actions every parent should know

April 3, 2026 at 9:00 am

Reading time: approximately 5 minutes

A scraped knee, a fall from a bike, a nosebleed at dinner... Injuries are a part of children's daily lives. As a parent, worry is normal. But knowing what to do in the first few minutes can make all the difference. This guide on first aid for children provides practical, simple, and validated steps to act confidently without panicking.

Why children are more at risk of injury

Children explore the world at top speed — and their bodies struggle to keep up. Their center of gravity is higher, their coordination is still developing, and their sense of danger is quite limited.

In Canada, falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalization in children aged 0 to 9, with an average of 4,590 hospitalizations and 187,709 emergency room visits each year, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (Injury Study 2025). Playground equipment, trampolines, and trees are among the most frequent sources of fractures.

More than 40% of injuries treated in emergency rooms in children and youth are related to sports and recreation, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Good news: the Canadian Paediatric Society estimates that over 90% of these injuries are preventable — and that knowing the right responses helps limit their consequences.

Here are the six most common situations, and how to react to them.

Falls and head trauma: the right reflexes

A blow to the head happens. Most of the time, it's not serious. But some signs should alert you.

After a fall with head impact, observe your child for at least 72 hours. According to the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ - Mieux vivre) and CHU Sainte-Justine, consult a doctor quickly or go to the emergency room if your child shows any of the following signs:

Loss of consciousness, even brief
Repeated vomiting (more than once)
Severe or increasing headaches
Unusual behavior, confusion, or increasing irritability
Difficulty walking, speaking, or vision problems
Seizures or tremors
Bump or deformation of the scalp, bruising behind the ear or under the eye
Fall from more than 0.9 m (3 feet) or more than five steps

If your child is under 3 months old, consult a doctor quickly regardless of the apparent severity of the impact. Young infants are harder to assess. If in doubt, call Info-Santé at 811 or dial 911 if the situation seems urgent to you.

While awaiting care, keep the child calm, monitor their level of consciousness, and if unconscious, do not move them unless to clear their airway, recommends the COCO project of the University of Montreal.

Nosebleeds: simple but stressful

Seeing blood flow from your child's nose can seem dramatic — but in the vast majority of cases, a nosebleed is benign and easily controlled at home.

Here is the procedure recommended by Naître et Grandir and the INSPQ:

Sit the child down, head tilted slightly forward (never backward — blood would flow into the throat).
Reassure them and ask them to breathe through their mouth.
Firmly pinch the soft part of the nose, just below the bone, between the thumb and forefinger.
Maintain continuous pressure for 10 minutes without releasing.
If the bleeding continues, repeat for another 10 minutes.

Consult a doctor if the bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes, or if your child feels dizzy, very pale, or weak. These signs may indicate a more significant blood loss.

Having clean and sterile compresses on hand in your kit makes managing this kind of situation easier.

Minor burns: cold water, no ice

Contact with a hot pan, an iron, a barbecue... accidental burns happen quickly with curious children.

The key action, validated by the Red Cross, the Global First Aid Centre, and the INSPQ:

Immediately run the burned area under cool running water (15-20°C) for at least 10 to 20 minutes.
Never use ice — it can worsen injuries and cause hypothermia in children.
Do not apply butter, oil, toothpaste, or any other home remedies — these substances can worsen the burn.
If the burn is small and superficial (simple redness), cover it with a clean dressing.
Never pop a blister — this risks causing an infection.

Go to the emergency room immediately if the burn affects the face, neck, hands, feet, a joint, or the genitals, if clothing is stuck to the skin, or if the burn is extensive. For young children, even a seemingly moderate burn warrants prompt medical evaluation.

Cuts and scrapes: clean, disinfect, protect

Cuts and scrapes are the most common injuries in active children. The good news: most can be easily treated at home by following these steps:

Stop the bleeding by applying direct, firm pressure with a sterile compress for a few minutes.
Clean the wound under clean running water to remove dirt and debris.
Gently disinfect with an antiseptic suitable for children.
Protect with a dressing appropriate for the size of the wound — change it daily and monitor for signs of infection (spreading redness, warmth, swelling, pus).

A good family first aid kit should always contain bandages of different sizes, sterile compresses, an antiseptic, and disposable gloves. This is the basic setup for treating most daily injuries quickly and cleanly.

Consult a doctor if the wound is deep, if the edges do not come together, if a foreign object is embedded, or if the injury was caused by a rusty object.

When to call 911 for a child

In most situations, a call to Info-Santé (811) will be enough to guide you. But some situations require calling 911 without delay. Dial 911 immediately if your child:

Is unconscious or unresponsive
Is not breathing or has severe difficulty breathing
Is having seizures
Is bleeding profusely and the bleeding does not stop
Has sustained a severe or extensive burn
Has swallowed a toxic product or a dangerous foreign object
Has been in a car accident or fallen from a great height
Is experiencing a severe allergic reaction (facial swelling, difficulty breathing)

While waiting for help: stay calm, do not move the child if you suspect a spinal injury, and follow the instructions of the 911 operator.

Your family first aid kit

The best way to manage everyday emergencies is to be prepared before they happen. A well-stocked kit prevents you from frantically searching for supplies when you need them most.

A complete family first aid kit should contain:

Bandages of different sizes and shapes
Sterile compresses
Antiseptic gel or spray
Non-latex disposable gloves
A thermometer
Scissors and tweezers
An emergency blanket
The number for the Quebec Poison Control Centre (1-800-463-5060) and Info-Santé (811)

At SuperMedic, you'll find everything you need:

Remember to check your kit in the spring — it's the season when outdoor activities resume and accidents are more frequent. Replace anything expired or used up.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If in doubt about your child's condition, always consult a doctor or call Info-Santé at 811. In an emergency, dial 911.

Written By : SuperMedic