Toddler Emergencies: Playmate Bites Your Child, Losing Your Child in the Mall

Nothing can really prepare you for the worst parenting scenario, especially if it involves your four-year-old weeping in pain. When he starts wailing hysterically, you lose focus and find yourself in disarray leaving the problem unsolved. It doesn’t help to panic, says Arsenio Meru, Jr., M.D., doctor of internal medicine at United Doctors Medical Center in Manila. Toddler emergencies are very common. “Children 6 years old and below are accident prone usually malikot, fearless, and will try almost anything,” he says. Stephanie Tan, R.N., nurse at The Medical City in Pasig, explains, “in any emergency situation, always remember to stay calm. Carefully assess the situation before attempting to do anything about it. Nothing good can come about if you panic.”

Here’s a rundown of possible toddler emergencies that you may encounter:
1.    A playmate bites your child

QUICK THINKING: Whether the bite is shallow or not, clean the wound with tap water then
dab with alcohol or povidone iodine (Betadine), says Dr. Meru. If you have a bleeder and the cut
is big, immediately wash the area under running water, cleanse with antiseptic, cover with clean cloth or gauze, and bring your child to the ER for further treatment, says Tan. Observe the wound for signs of infection such as swelling, extreme pain, or pus formation.
Your doctor will advise if your child needs anti-tetanus shots.

SAFETY ALERT! Keep your little tykes under close supervision during play. Biting is typical
among toddlers and you really can’t do anything to stop a teething tot, so you may want to stay nearby when your child is interacting with a two- or three-year-old. Remember, toddlers move fast, so you have to act quickly, too, if you want to prevent a child from sinking his teeth in too deep.

Click here to learn how to deal when you lose your child in a store or mall.

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Here's how to deal when you lose your child in a store or mall.

2.    You lose your child in a store or the mall

QUICK THINKING: Alert the security guards and store clerks right away. Call out his name and
Don’t stop until you find him. “Use the paging system, if the store has one,” says Giselle Elgincolin, school director of Creative Explorers School for Children in Quezon City. Inform as many people in the area so that they can search with you. Man the exits and other possible places he can go to, such as restrooms.

Retrace your steps, Elgincolin advises. Go to the last place you went to together and ask around.
Resist the urge to run around; there’s a better chance for him to find you if you stay in one place for longer periods, says Tan. “Try the usual favorite places he goes to, like the block area or play place, for example,” adds Elgincolin.

SAFETY ALERT! Always prep your child for such situations before going to a public place. Tell him to look for the friendly policemen or security guards when he can’t find Mommy or Daddy. Better yet, agree on a place he can go to in case he gets lost, says Elgincolin. Make a simple identification card with his photo, your photo, and both your names in big print; slip this in his pocket or hang it around his neck.

Photo from flickr.com

SOURCES
•    Arsenio Meru, Jr., M.D., doctor of internal medicine, United Doctors Medical Center, Espana, Manila
•    Stephanie Tan, R.N., nurse, The Medical City, Pasig City
•    Giselle Elgincolin, school director, Creative Explorers School for Children, Quezon City