3 surprisingly effective first-aid tricks for kids
Booboos are a common occurrence in kids. Here's a few simpler ways to tend to those first-aid needs including a painless way to remove splinters.
Illustration: Emily Beaton
First aid hacks
A better way to apply a Band-Aid
It turns out there’s a way better way to apply a Band-Aid! Snip a slit at each end of the bandage, so when it’s wrapped around an appendage, like a finger, you can criss-cross the ends for a closer, more secure fit.
Make a soft ice pack
Keep a bunch of frozen marshmallows in a zip-top bag in the freezer to be used when your kid bonks her head or squishes a finger. Marshmallows don’t get rock-hard or ice-cold when they freeze, making them an ideal ice pack.
An easier way to remove a sliver
Sure, you could hold your kid down to remove a sliver, but what if you didn’t have to? Try this hack: Clean the area, apply a baking soda and water paste, and then cover with a bandage. In a few hours, the sliver will usually have been drawn to the surface. No screaming, no tears.
Read more:
First-aid kit essentials for family travel
First-aid basics for parents
4 ways to comfort your injured child
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Amy is a freelance writer and editor based in Toronto, Ontario. Her work can also be found in publications like Chatelaine, Toronto Life and The Globe and Mail.