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If this is a possible life-threatening illness or injury, call 911 immediately.

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Care for an Injury with R.I.C.E.!

If your child has a minor strain or sprain, it can be painful, but you may not need to head to the emergency department immediately. Instead, try R.I.C.E.

Rest - As soon as your child complains of pain, make sure he or she rests the injured joint or muscle.

Ice - To avoid swelling, apply ice (wrapped in a towel to avoid frostbite) to the injured area in 20-minute sessions every 3 to 4 hours for the first 24 hours.

Compression - Wrap the injured area firmly with an elastic compression bandage, found at your local drugstore.

Elevation - Raise the injured area on pillows or cushions to prevent swelling.

Online Resources:

National Safe Kids Campaign
http://www.safekids.org

The National SAFE KIDS Campaign is the first and only national organization dedicated solely to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury - the number one killer of children ages 14 and under. The site includes information about product recalls, safety quizzes, and child-proofing checklists to help parents make their child's environment a little safer.

SafeUSA
http://www.cdc.gov/safeusa/default.htm

SafeUSA is dedicated to reducing significantly the high rates of injuries and deaths related to injuries in the United States. Check out this site's info on safety at home, school, and in the community.

American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/

The American Red Cross offers courses in first aid and child and infant CPR in locations around the United States. Access their web site to find a course near you.

American Association of Poison Control Centers
http://www.aapcc.org/

Trying to find the number for your local poison control center? Look no further than this site, which also includes information about preventing accidental poisoning.

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/ncipchm.htm

The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control's Web site provides statistics and prevention information about unintentional injury.

Article Sources:

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/ncipchm.htm

American Association of Poison Control Centers
http://www.aapcc.org/

American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/

SafeUSA
http://www.cdc.gov/safeusa/default.htm

National Safe Kids Campaign
http://www.safekids.org

American Academy of Pediatrics: Injury and Poisoning Prevention
http://www.aap.org/sections/ipp/

Harvard Family Health Guide
Harvard Medical School

Brochure: American Academy of Family Physicians
Fever in Children: When Your Child Has a Fever

Boston Medical Center: Department of Pediatrics

Vomiting in Children
http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/symptoms/vomiting.html

The Management of Acute Diarrhea in Children
http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00018677.htm

American Trauma Society
http://www.amtrauma.org/

Children's Safety Network
http://www.edc.org/HHD/csn/

Ronald A. Christensen, M.D., Medical Advisor

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