CLINICAL GUIDELINESWORK AT STARSHIPCONTACTS
Safekids Aotearoa

Bites, stings and contact with an animal or plant: Birth to 11 months

How big a problem is it?

These are the third-leading cause of non-fatal injury among children aged 0-14. Around five children a week are admitted to hospital for these types of injuries. Injuries occur when a child is struck, bitten or otherwise injured by an animal such as a dog or insect. Or, when they are accidentally injured by plant thorns, spines and sharp leaves. 

Who does it affect?

This youngest age group is vulnerable to all the sub-categories listed, but contact with dogs is the largest single cause of injury. Children aged 1 – 9 years account for around 80% of all dog-related hospital admissions.

Stings are another risk factor for this age group of younger children, who are at greater risk of being bitten or stung by a nonvenomous insect than older children. The evidence for actions that prevent these injuries is not as strong as other types of injury.

We have some tips for which the evidence is uncertain but we still do recommend you consider them a possible prevention for these types of injury.

Top Tips

  • Keep dogs away from babies and toddlers.

  • If dogs and this age group have to share space briefly, supervise closely.

  • Have good conversations with families about the possible benefits of neutering male dogs and avoiding choosing unsafe breeds as pets.

  • Supervise and restrain the dog when it is not separated from small children by a fence or tied-up.

  • Educate everyone in the home about the potential risks .

  • Educate children how to interact with unfamiliar and pet dogs.

First Aid

  • If your young child is injured by a dog, sting or having crashed into another child and is unconscious, start CPR. CPR instructions are below.

  • If your child has a body part, such as a fingertip, that has been bitten off, put the part that was cut off in a sealed plastic bag right away. Put the bag in a container with ice water. 

  • If you suspect a broken or fractured bone, see the KidsHealth fracture first aid tips.

  • If you are alone, call 111 or ask someone to call for you. 

  • Do not stop performing CPR until medical help arrives and takes over. 

  • Control bleeding by applying pressure with an absorbent cloth or pad 

  • If you are not alone get non urgent advice from HealthLine (0800) 611 116 or the National Poisons Centre 0800 764 766 in the case of jellyfish, insects and spider bites etc.

First aid treatment for jellyfish stings, insect and spider bites

  • Flush with water and gently remove any tentacles. Hot water is a good option but exercise caution as babies and infants are vulnerable to burns from hot water.

Tetanus

Your doctor will probably give your child antibiotics and a tetanus vaccination or booster. For more information about tetanus see the Safekids link below or contact the Immunisation Advisory Centre 0800 IMMUNE (466863). Their webpage about tetanus is here https://www.immune.org.nz/diseases/tetanus

Loss of Consciousness First Aid

Follow DRS ABCD to start CPR 

D Dangers? Check for any dangers to yourself such as electricity or traffic. 

R Responsive? Check responsiveness by calling loudly and shaking the child's arm. 

S Send for help. Dial 111 and confirm an ambulance is on its way. Use the appropriate emergency number in other countries. 

A Airway. Open the airway by moving the head into a neutral position and lifting the chin. Do not tilt the head back too far.

B Breathing. Look and feel for movement of the lower chest and stomach area. Listen and feel for air coming from the nose or mouth. 

C CPR. If the child is not breathing, start CPR - 30 compressions to 2 breaths. Put the child on a firm surface. Place 2 fingers of one hand (for a baby) or the heel of one hand (for a child) in the centre of the chest just below the nipples. Push down hard and fast 30 times in about 15 seconds (push down one-third of chest depth). Once you have completed 30 compressions (pushes) on the chest, breathe into the baby's mouth 2 times. Seal your lips around the baby's mouth and nose. For a child over 1, you may need to breathe into their mouth and pinch their nose closed. Gently puff into the child until you see their chest rise. Continue with the cycle of 30 chest compressions and 2 breaths until the ambulance arrives. 

D Defibrillator. Attach defibrillator as soon as it is available and follow prompts. 

Links to Safekids’ resources

Child Dog Bite Hospitalisations in NZ

Links other organisations’ resources

Dept Internal Affairs Dog Safety Website

Waikato University Publication: Keeping Our Children Safe Around Dogs

SPCA