The British Red Cross throws down the gauntlet to parents to take the First Aid Challenge

I'm a mum of three and I'm still not 100% sure I'd know what to do in a crisis, despite taking a complete first aid course when I was at university, so this is definitely a worthwhile campaign.

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The British Red Cross throws down the gauntlet to parents to take the First Aid Challenge

• New nationwide campaign to get all parents learning first aid begins at Earls Court Baby Show, 26 October 2012 and runs to the end of the year.
• The British Red Cross is launching the first UK-wide first aid campaign aimed at parents, in response to a survey showing that most parents don’t feel confident about what to do if their child were injured.
• 96% of parents agree all parents should have basic first aid knowledge – but two thirds don’t feel confident, or worry they would do something wrong.
• For free first aid advice, videos and to sign-up to the First Aid Challenge, go to www.redcross.org.uk/firstaidchallenge

In a survey of over 2,000 parents [undertaken by Bounty’s Word of Mum™ panel], 96% of respondents agreed that all parents should have some first aid knowledge. The study identified the main fears of parents as choking, treating an unconscious baby or child and meningitis – however despite this, many parents struggle to find the time to learn how to treat these cases.

The British Red Cross has launched its First Aid Challenge campaign, which aims to get thousands of parents across the UK to learn first aid skills and feel confident enough to use them.

Joe Mulligan, British Red Cross head of first aid education, commented:

“We know that the majority of parents want to learn first aid, but may not get round to it for all sorts of reasons. We’re asking parents to set themselves this challenge – learn something, no matter how much time you have. Even 15 minutes is enough to learn something that could make all the difference in an emergency.”

With over 24,000 parents expected to attend the Baby Show Earls Court over three days, the British Red Cross First Aid Challenge will be launching at the popular event this October 26^th. Parents will be able to kick-off the challenge with training sessions taking place every hour.

The website [www.redcross.org.uk/firstaidchallenge] will also launch the same day, featuring free videos, emergency advice and information on first aid courses around the UK – the campaign will also encourage parents to download a letter to send to head teachers to ask local schools to teach first aid in the classroom.

Signing up to the First Aid Challenge is completely free and each participant will receive information on how to deal with day-to-day mishaps confidently and updates about free first aid demonstrations across the UK. Alternatively, if parents prefer to keep a how-to hard-copy in the house, a brand new First Aid manual focussing on treatment for babies and children is available now, priced £10.99.

Tracey Turner from the British Red Cross said:

“We hope this challenge will make all parents stop, think and decide to learn some first aid. We all know that as children grow and explore, inevitably they will have some kind of accident, be it big or small. We are passionate about giving everyone the skills and the confidence to know what to do.”

For more information on the British Red Cross and the First Aid challenge please visit: www.redcross.org.uk/firstaidchallengechallenge

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