As a parent of 2 kids, I would like to share some tips for parents regarding health issues with thier children. My wife is a registered nurse and I used to work in the healthcare industry for many years; hence, we both have some learnings regarding health issues with our children. I hope they prove useful tips for other parents.

Every home should have their own first aid kit. This is very important during cases of emergency within your home. Your first aid kit should contain the following items:

• Alcohol
• Cotton
• Thermometer
• bandage/surgical tape
• Gauze or Band-Aid
• Cold compress pack
• Clean scissor
• Flash light
• Antiseptic solution (hydrogen peroxide)
• Over-the-Counter Medicines: Paracetamol- fever; saline drops- stuffy nose; Mefanamic acid/ Coxibs -Pain reliever; Pediatric anti-histamine drugs.

• Apply cold compress
• Placethe affected area under cold running water for 5 to 10 minutes
• cover the affected area with clean cloth
• Do not use adhessive dressings
• Do not apply any ointment or lotion
• Seek medical attention for severe cases

• Check the wound and look for any sting still embedded on the skin
• Scrape off the stinger with you fingerNAILs (not your fingers-this will only squeeze more venom to the skin);
• Clean the affected area with soap and water to prevent infection
• Apply baking soda or dilute ammonia to neutralize the alkali venom for bee sting
• Apply acid solution like vinegar or lemon juice to neutralize the alfali venom for wasp sting
• For multiple sting, immediately bring victim to the hospital emergency room

• Apply calamine lotion or antihistamine cream to soothe the itch for mosquito bites or bites by bed bugs
• Apply weak baking soda or weak alkali for ant bites- this is done to neutralize the acid being released by ants
• Apply diluted ammonia for tick bites- this will kill ticks; then put some alcohol to disinfect and apply petroleum jelly to loosen the tick's grip. Use tweezers to pull them out and apply calamine lotion to relieve itchiness.

• Immediately bring to the hospital; but prior to that, do the following tasks:
• Thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water to prevent infection
• Apply anti-septic lotion to the affected area
• Cover the wound with a clean dressing after bleeding stops
• (Observe the dog for a few days; if the dog dies, then the dog has rabies and your child needs to be given a series of anti-rabies shots)