First Aid for Toddlers | Choking, Burns, Falls & Fever Guide

Build (or refresh) your home first aid kit

A well-stocked kit lives where you can reach it in seconds, not at the back of a cupboard.

• Sterile saline for wound cleaning and eye rinsing.
• Assorted plasters, non-stick dressings, crepe bandages.
• Digital thermometer.
• Child-strength paracetamol and ibuprofen (check dose by weight).
• Tweezers and blunt scissors.
• Emergency numbers on the fridge: 000, Poisons 13 11 26, GP, MCH nurse, healthdirect 1800 022 222.
• A small copy of your child's Medicare number and any allergies.

Choking

A cough is a good sign — encourage it. Silence is the emergency. If your toddler can't breathe, cry or cough:

• Call 000 (or ask someone to).
• 5 sharp back blows between the shoulder blades, head down.
• Check mouth (never blind sweep).
• 5 chest thrusts (heel of hand on lower breastbone).
• Alternate until it clears or help arrives. If unresponsive → start CPR.

Burns and scalds

Toddler burns are almost always from hot drinks, taps and stoves. The most important step is water — and lots of it.

• Remove the source (clothing, jewellery) unless stuck to the skin.
• Cool the burn under cool running water for 20 full minutes — even hours after the burn happened.
• Do not use ice, butter, toothpaste or creams.
• Cover loosely with cling wrap laid flat (not wrapped tight) or a clean non-stick dressing.
• See a GP for any burn larger than a 20-cent coin, on the face/hands/genitals, or if the skin blisters.
• Call 000 for any burn to the airway, chest, or larger than a palm.

Falls and head injuries

Most toddler falls are minor. What matters is the child's behaviour afterwards, not the drop height.

• Comfort, cool compress for bumps, and observe for 24–48 hours.
• See a doctor urgently for: any loss of consciousness, more than one vomit, drowsiness, confusion, clear fluid from ears or nose, fits, or a large soft swelling on the head.
• Call 000 for unresponsive, seizure, unequal pupils, or difficulty waking.
• Under 1 year old, always get any head injury reviewed by a doctor.

Fever and febrile convulsions

A fever isn't the problem — it's the body fighting infection. Focus on how your toddler looks, not the thermometer.

• Offer fluids in small, frequent sips.
• Dress lightly; keep the room comfortable.
• Paracetamol or ibuprofen if they're uncomfortable — dose by weight, not age.
• A febrile convulsion (seizure with fever) looks terrifying but is usually harmless — lay them on their side, don't restrain, time it, and call 000 if it lasts over 5 minutes.
• See a doctor if fever + very unwell look, rash, stiff neck, unrelenting cry, or dehydration.

Poisoning

• Call Poisons Information on 13 11 26 immediately (24/7, free).
• Do not induce vomiting.
• Take the packet or plant sample with you if you go to hospital.
• Any suspected button battery ingestion → straight to ED, do not wait.

CPR basics for 1–8 year olds

Australian Resuscitation Council uses DRSABCD:

• D — Danger (safe to approach).
• R — Response (call name, gentle shake).
• S — Send for help (call 000).
• A — Airway (tilt head slightly, check mouth).
• B — Breathing (look, listen, feel for 10 seconds).
• C — CPR: 30 compressions (one hand, lower breastbone, ~1/3 chest depth) then 2 rescue breaths. Rate ~100–120/min.
• D — Defibrillation if AED available.
• Continue until help arrives or the child recovers.

When to call which number

• 000 — breathing difficulty, unresponsive, seizure, major bleeding, serious burn, drowning.
• 13 11 26 — Poisons Information (any suspected ingestion).
• 1800 022 222 — healthdirect, 24/7 nurse advice for anything else you're unsure about.
• Your GP or MCH nurse — persistent symptoms, minor injuries, general questions.

Common questions

Which first aid course should I do?

Any accredited hands-on infant/child first aid course — St John Ambulance, Australian Red Cross, Royal Life Saving or a local RTO. Refresh every 2–3 years.

How long do I need to cool a burn?

20 full minutes under cool (not icy) running water — even if the burn happened up to 3 hours ago. This is the single most important treatment and it reduces scarring.

Is it OK to give paracetamol for a mild fever?

Only if your child is uncomfortable. Fever itself isn't harmful. Always dose by weight from the pack instructions, not age, and never mix paracetamol and ibuprofen without medical advice.

My toddler had a febrile convulsion — is that dangerous?

Most simple febrile convulsions last under 5 minutes, don't cause harm, and don't mean epilepsy. All first-time seizures should be reviewed by a doctor. Call 000 if it lasts over 5 minutes.

How do I know if a head injury needs the ED?

Go to ED for: any loss of consciousness, more than one vomit, drowsiness or confusion, unequal pupils, seizure, clear fluid from ears or nose, or a large soft swelling. Under 1, review every head injury.

What should I do if my toddler swallowed a coin?

Call Poisons Information on 13 11 26 or healthdirect. Coins usually pass safely, but need medical assessment. A button battery, magnet or sharp object is an emergency — go straight to ED.

Can I use antiseptic cream on scrapes?

Clean with cool tap water or saline, pat dry, and cover with a plaster. Antiseptic creams are usually unnecessary. See a doctor for deep cuts, animal bites or anything that won't stop bleeding after 10 minutes of pressure.

What's the correct CPR ratio for a toddler?

30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths, at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. Use one hand on the lower breastbone, pressing down about one-third of the chest depth.