After a Home Safety Incident
Secure the scene before documenting it. Remove the baby from ongoing danger, check breathing and responsiveness, call the appropriate emergency or poison service, and do not delay care to search online or finish a photograph.
Summary
After an accident, first make the scene safe and check breathing and responsiveness. Call emergency services for severe symptoms. Suspected poisoning, magnets or a button battery also need immediate professional advice, even if your baby seems well.
Get emergency help for severe symptoms
Move your baby away from continuing danger and check breathing, skin color, responsiveness, bleeding and burns. Severe breathing difficulty, blue or gray skin, choking without sound or an effective cough, seizures, inability to wake, uncontrolled bleeding or a serious burn need emergency help. Do not delay to search online or take photographs.
Suspected poisoning or a swallowed object
If medicine, a cleaner, another chemical, cannabis or magnets may have been swallowed, contact your local poison center or emergency service immediately. Keep the container or product details available for the clinician. Do not induce vomiting or give food or drink unless instructed.
A suspected button battery needs urgent advice and emergency assessment even without symptoms. Do not wait for symptoms or try to make your baby vomit. For babies younger than 12 months, do not give honey.
After a fall or blow to the head
After a head injury, inconsolable crying, refusal to feed, repeated vomiting, unusual behavior, marked drowsiness, unequal pupils, seizures or loss of consciousness need emergency assessment. Changes may appear later. Tell the clinician what happened and how feeding, sleep and behavior have changed; seek advice for continuing or worsening symptoms.
