Mini First Aid North Nottinghamshire, Grantham & Sleaford

10/09/2025

Choking is quiet. If your baby’s airway is blocked, they will not be able to make a sound. There may be signs of cyanosis (this happens when there is a lack of oxygen in the blood). If your child has black skin, check inside their lips or under fingernails for signs of blue-ish skin. If your child has white skin, their outer lips may begin to look blue.

Gagging is loud. Your child’s skin may also look red when they are gagging - this is harder to see on black or brown skin. Gagging is a normal reflex as your little one begins to learn how to chew and swallow food but it can be scary to witness.

This Family Safety Week, remind yourself of how to safely cut fruit, vegetables and other foods for your baby and toddler and what to do if your child is choking.

You can learn all about choking prevention and dealing with a choking baby or child in our first aid classes, upcoming dates can be found by visiting https://newark.minifirstaid.co.uk/classes

Did you know this about the sound difference between gagging and choking?

04/09/2025

🛑 Before they bounce… let’s talk trampoline safety.

Trampolines can be brilliant for burning off energy, building coordination, and keeping kids active – but they’re also one of the top causes of childhood injury, especially in the summer. Sprains, bumps, head knocks, even broken bones… we see them all.

At Mini First Aid, we’re not about bubble-wrapping kids (because let’s be honest, they’ll always find a way to test limits!) – but we are about giving you the know-how to prevent accidents where possible and deal with them calmly if they do happen.

✅ One jumper at a time
✅ Safety net zipped up
✅ No flips unless properly trained
✅ Always supervise – even “big kids”

And if an accident does happen? Our classes will give you the skills to spot when it’s just a bump that needs a cuddle – and when it’s time to get professional help.

Because happy bouncing is great… panicked dashing to A&E? Not so much.

💚 Learn more in your local Mini First Aid class (franchine map on the second slide) DM for more info

03/09/2025

☀️ Sunburn: What to Do (and What NOT to Do!)

Whether it’s a day in the garden or a surprise heatwave 🌞, sunburn can creep up fast, especially on little ones with delicate skin.

If your child gets sunburned:
🧊 Take them out of the sun and cool the skin with cool water
🧴 Use a gentle aftersun or moisturiser
🥤 Encourage them to drink fluids to avoid dehydration and help them cool down
🚫 Never use ice or greasy creams like petroleum jelly
👕 Keep the skin covered and out of the sun until healed

Sun safety isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being prepared.

Want more tips like these? Join us for a class and feel confident for whatever summer brings.

31/08/2025

As the summer holidays are coming to an end, some little ones are going to be finding it hard at school or nursery drop-off, our blog Mini First Aid blog might help make it a little easier💚
https://www.newark.minifirstaid.co.uk/blog/separation-anxiety

The end of the summer holidays are looming and we know this can be an anxious time for families as thoughts turn to our children starting pr...

27/08/2025

There are times when you really need that hot caffeine hit when you are parenting. You are tired, you’re low on energy, you’re out meeting other mums in cafes or soft plays or you just need to sit down and have a break.

We absolutely get it.

What’s important is that there is an understanding of how quickly a spill accident or a child pulling at a table or cup of hot coffee can happen. It can be the blink of an eye. A second that you turn to answer a question or read a text message.

60% of all under-3 paediatric burn attendances to A&E are due to a hot drink burn, many of which are preventable.

Please keep hot drinks well out of reach of little hands. Take a moment today, wherever you are sitting down to your cup of coffee, to look at your surroundings and make sure your little one can’t grab the cup or the table where it is sitting.

A burn injury is for life. Small changes can prevent terrible accidents.

27/08/2025

🛝 Trampolines, climbing frames, garden slides – love them or loathe them, they’re magnets for summer fun and for injuries.

I’m not saying wrap your kids in bubble wrap (though, tempting on some days). But a few simple checks can save a whole lot of drama:
✔️ Only one child on the trampoline at a time
✔️ Nets zipped shut
✔️ Soft landings around play areas (hello grass, goodbye concrete)
✔️ Keep equipment age-appropriate

Jo and I have heard it all – from sprained wrists to concussion. First aid helps you respond well if something happens, but prevention always comes first.

Our classes cover loads of real-life stuff like this – the kind you don’t think about until someone’s crying with a bleeding knee and you’ve got no plasters in your bag.

We’ve got you. Come learn with us.

26/08/2025

Have you experienced pre-term birth?
A new clinical study is being run called, PRESTIGE-PTB, which aims to help understand the causes of pre-term birth.
Across the UK, one in 13 babies are born prematurely. We know that ethnicity has an impact on the chances of a baby being born too soon, but more research is needed.
If you agree to take part in the trial, you'll be asked to provide a small blood sample and share information about your pregnancy and birth.
You can find out more about the study and complete a self-referral form on the PRESTIGE-PTB website: https://bit.ly/3EQKvaE

26/08/2025

Each day around 40 under-5s are taken to hospital after choking on something or swallowing something dangerous.

Grapes are the third most common cause of death in food-related accidents. The size and shape of them can completely plug a child’s small airway.

Follow these tips to minimise the danger:

Always chop grapes in half lengthways and ideally into quarters. Children love a kitchen gadget and our little ones still use a grape cutter even now that are bigger kids!

Encourage your child to sit while eating, not walking or running around.

Stay with your baby or toddler while they are eating

40% of parents don’t know how to help a choking baby*. Are you one of them?

Come and learn choking prevention and how to deal with choking at one of our baby & child classes. https://www.newark.minifirstaid.co.uk/classes

The techniques are different for babies, toddlers and older children so make sure you know what to do. Every second counts with an accident like this

24/08/2025

Whether it’s grazed knees from garden adventures, a bumped head at the playground, or a wasp sting at the picnic, knowing what to do can be the difference between freezing in fear and calmly stepping in to help.

That’s what our Mini First Aid classes are all about – giving you the confidence, skills, and real-life know-how to handle life’s little (and not-so-little) emergencies without spiralling into panic mode.

We keep things simple, practical, and totally relevant for everyday family life. No scary jargon, no judgement – just useful techniques you can actually remember in the moment.
Plus, there’s something powerful about learning alongside other parents and caregivers in your community. You’ll leave with more than just first aid skills – you’ll have a local network of people who “get it” and are ready to look out for each other.

Because family time should be about having fun, ice creams, and memories – not worry.
💚 Join our next class and give yourself the gift of calm preparedness.

21/08/2025

If you're currently potty-training your baby or are about to start, you could consider taking part in this study: https://www.bigtoiletproject.org

21/08/2025

I know I’m not the only one who’s looked around at a kids’ party and thought, “Why did I invite this many children into my house?”

The noise. The snacks. The sugar highs. The injuries waiting to happen 🙃

But those worries start to melt away when you feel confident you’d know what to do if Jacob suddenly choked on a Wotsit… or Lottie legged it straight into your glass patio door.

Because it’s not about removing the chaos (good luck with that) — it’s about knowing you’ve got the skills to handle it.

That’s what our Mini First Aid classes are all about. Simple, practical know-how that gives you peace of mind — whether you're hosting a party, on the school run, or just at home with a biscuit tin and a toddler tornado.

Come and learn what every parent wishes they knew before they needed it. I promise you won’t regret it.