Have you thought about your baby's first aid kit?

Posted on: Friday 23rd March 2012

Jenni Falconer has posted on her blog about the importance of thinking about first aid whilst away from home. She writes: "I've just booked a holiday at the end of May and now that I have an extra person to think about, I'm keen to make sure I'm fully prepared and set up for as many eventualities as possible!! Ella will be 9 months when we travel, so I'll have to consider what essentials need to be packed in a first aid kit for her. Also, if you're going to Europe, have you filled in your application for your EHIC form?

If you're a UK resident, you're entitled to medical treatment that becomes necessary, at reduced cost or sometimes free, when temporarily visiting a European Union (EU) country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Only treatment provided under the state scheme is covered. However, to obtain treatment you will need to take a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you. (links at the end of the post)

But what if something does happen whilst you are away? You need to make sure you have a few key essentials to hand. I shudder at the thought of something happening to Ella, or worse, the thought that if I'd been more prepared the consequences would have been less grave.

According to a recent survey, a staggering 80% of us are not equipped to deal with minor medical emergencies in our own homes - let alone when we're out and about taking a break. This not only puts us and our families at risk, but it also means that we're making thousands of unnecessary emergency visits and calls to GP's and emergency units for relatively minor, simple to treat conditions such as grazes, blisters and splinters."

Read the full blog here.