When does your child need the ER?

• When a bone is obviously broken or there’s swelling at the injury site

• When a cut won’t stop bleeding or is too deep to heal on its own

• When an injury causes limping or pain that won’t go away

• When a head injury causes loss of consciousness, vomiting or change in behavior

Whenever you feel as if there’s no doubt about it, go to the emergency room. On the other hand, if you really aren’t sure, try calling your doctor first. You may be able to take care of your child yourself (with advice from your doctor) or make an appointment to see the doctor, avoiding the emergency room altogether.

Source:
American Academy of Dermatology; American Academy of Pediatrics; American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons; American Camping Association; American Red Cross; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; K. Handal, The American Red Cross. First Aid and Safety Book. Little, Brown and Company, 1992; Marion County Children’s Services; Medical College of Wisconsin; National Highway Transportation Administration; The National Institutes of Health; National Safe Kids Foundation; The National Safety Council; Students Against Destructive Decisions; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency;