4 Major Injuries During Childhood and Tips to Help Parents Deal With Them Effectively

Every parent knows the feeling of being constantly worried about their kids getting hurt during the course of the day. If you have a baby, toddler or a young child at home, there’s always a potential injury waiting to happen while they crawl, walk, run, climb or jump around. Kids are fearless explorers and this exposes them to the danger of getting injured. You may turn your back for five minutes at home and suddenly find your child crying after touching something hot, or you could open the door to your little one holding his swollen ankle or wrist due to a playground injury.

While most injuries during childhood are minor and don’t require a trip to the emergency room, there are a few that need immediate medical treatment. When it comes to serious injuries, it’s essential to be prepared and get your child the required help. Here are some major injuries that can occur during childhood and the best ways to tackle them.

4 Common Injuries You Need to be Prepared For if You Have a Child

Major injuries are quite different from the usual cuts, scrapes, and bruises that you’ll often see on kids. These are likely to cause developmental problems in the future if dealt with incorrectly. Since they require serious medical intervention, they are also usually heavier on the pocket. Hence, it becomes essential to be prepared by having a good child insurance policy at hand. Here are some major injuries you should start preparing for, so you’re not caught unawares, especially when your child’s future is at stake

1. Fractures

The best part about childhood is being able to run freely, play games, and do a lot of what parents call ‘monkey business,’ but that also provides more scope for injuries. A fracture is essentially a crack or break in the bone, and quite common in kids, due to their high activity levels. However, children’s bones are more flexible and stronger than adults’, which makes healing a quicker process.

What to Do:

• Make your child sit or lie down comfortably. Do not try and move him too much.
• Use a cold compress to relieve the pain until you can get your child professional help.
• If the wounded area swells or is painful to touch or move, it is most likely a fracture.
• Take your child to the hospital as soon as possible. Call an ambulance if it is difficult to transport him in your private vehicle.
• In severe cases, treating fractures can turn out to be a significant expense, costing anywhere between Rs. 3000 to 50,000 in private hospitals. The Child Personal Accident Cover from Bajaj Finserv is a great investment option for these unforeseen incidents, where you can get up to Rs. 1 lakh coverage for as little as Rs. 349 to help you finance the treatment.

2. Choking

Whether they’re gobbling up a meal to rush out to play afterwards, distracted while eating, or fed larger bites of food than they can eat, children could be at the risk of choking while eating or even while playing with small toys. It can be scary and confusing to figure out how to help your little one during such stressful moments.

What to Do:

• Understand how much of the airway is clear. If it’s a small particle and your child can answer you with simple sounds, firmly hit him on his back, between the shoulder blades to dislodge the blockage. Do this five times.
• If the blockage is severe or doesn’t dislodge with back blows, try the Heimlich manoeuvre. Make your child stand and position yourself behind him. Wrap your arms around his waist and make a fist. Grab the fist with your other hand and thrust it towards the abdomen in an inward and upward motion. Once the blockage is cleared, your child will be able to breathe.
• If you are not confident of performing either of the above techniques or are unable to dislodge the object, rush your child to a doctor immediately.

3. Neck, Shoulder, and Back Injuries

Pass by any school, and you’ll often see kids lugging heavy school bags that barely allow them to walk properly. Even though the school bag should ideally weigh less than 10% of the bodyweight of the child, this rule is rarely enforced. Many children face spine injuries due to the weight of their school bags, which is a matter of concern in the country. Kids are also at risk of injuring their necks and backs due to sports activities or playing, which can turn into a serious injury.

What to Do:

• If your child complains of pain and stiffness in his upper back, neck, or shoulder, apply an ice pack and pain ointment for relief.
• If the pain turns chronic, consult a doctor to get any medical conditions diagnosed.
• Chronic back pain due to spinal issues or deformities may need ongoing medical treatment over a long period, which can quickly become expensive. The Child Personal Accident Cover offered by Bajaj Finserv is a smart way to prepare for such situations. With an easy application process, an affordable premium and high coverage of up to Rs. 1 lakh, you can focus on helping your child get the appropriate treatment, instead of stressing about financing the treatment.

4. Burns

Though it’s a scary topic to broach, we can’t ignore the risk of burns, especially at home. Whether it is water, oil, pans, etc., kids are usually unaware of potentially hot substances that could pose trouble. In case of burns, the first aid administered often sets the course of healing.

What to Do:

• Hold the area under running water to soothe the skin, get rid of the heat, and also ease any swelling.
• For mild burns, alternate between soothing the skin with running water and applying an ointment for proper healing.
• Do not apply ice or ice-cold water to the skin, as it can cause tissue damage and affect the extent of healing. Cool or room temperature water effectively gets rid of the heat from the skin and soothes it.
• If you notice that the skin looks bright red, splotchy, waxy, or wet, and your child is in immense pain, it could indicate a severe burn. In this case, take him to a hospital as soon as possible for treatment.
• As a preventative measure, keep pot handles away from the stove, and any hot liquids on a higher platform that your child can’t reach. Also, educate older kids on the dos and don’ts around the house to stay safe.

Major injuries can be a sensitive topic, with many parents believing that they should think positive. However, accidents can never be predicted, and it’s always best to be prepared in case any such situation arises by having an affordable insurance plan to rely on and knowing what first aid to administer. We may not always be able to prevent our kids from injury, but we can surely safeguard their future.