PAEDS, Pyalong (2026)

24/12/2025

My wish this year is the same as every year. That you see Christmas through your children’s eyes.

Forget the perfect pavlova. Forget the perfectly cooked lamb. Forget the perfect Instagram photo. Hug your kids. Laugh louder. Be perfectly happy with imperfect.

Thank you for your support this year. We are deeply grateful to have trained hundreds and hundreds of people in first aid, and to have supported families and carers looking after children with medical needs in the community. What a privilege it is to be part of your lives. We do not take that responsibility lightly. This is our life’s work, and our passion.

From our family to yours, we wish you the happiest, messiest, most love filled Christmas.
Much love, until 2026 xx

22/12/2025

The final two gifts of Christmas no parent wants: poisons and toxins.

From insect bites that inject venom, to button batteries that cause devastating internal burns.

Insect repellents play an important role in reducing the risk of bites and therefore disease!! DEET is one of the most effective options, with 10% suitable for everyday use and higher strengths recommended in high risk areas. Picaridin is a good alternative that is odourless and less sticky, though it needs more frequent reapplication. Oil of lemon eucalyptus (PMD) offers comparable protection for older children. Always choose based on your child’s age and follow the product instructions.

Button batteries are small, silent, and extremely dangerous. As shown in the video, they can cause severe internal injuries within hours if swallowed or inserted. As part of my work with the Australian Resuscitation Council, this year we finally were able to change the National Guidelines to bring them in line with some emerging evidence. The guidelines now advise that if a button battery ingestion is suspected in a child and help is on the way or you are enroute to hospital, give 2 teaspoons of honey or jam every 10 minutes. Never delay getting to hospital - you must get there as quick as possible

‼️Do not give any other food or drink.
**This is a first aid measure only and does not replace urgent medical care.**

If you are unsure about your child’s symptoms, contact Poisons Information on 13 11 26.

If you are concerned about severe bleeding, breathing difficulties, or rapid deterioration, call 000 immediately.

Summer safety is about awareness, prevention, and knowing where the real risks are. Just a little bit of knowledge can be super helpful for keeping your kids safe over the holidays x

kidsafety parenteducation preparednotscared aussie

21/12/2025

Your child has swallowed a button battery…
Grab the honey. Or the jam. FAST.

If your child swallows a button battery, every minute counts.
🍯For children over 12 months: Give 10ml (2 teaspoons) of honey every 10 minutes, up to 6 doses while on the way to hospital.
🍓Under 12 months: Use jam instead of honey (due to the risk of infant botulism).

This simple first aid can slow tissue damage, reduce burns, and potentially save your child’s life.

Don’t wait for symptoms.
➡️Call 000 if they are having breathing issues or bleeding.

➡️If they are stable, call poisons hotline on 13 11 26 and they will advise where your closest hospital is (with xray capability)

This information is based on guidelines from The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne and research published in:

Anfang, R.R. et al. (2019). Honey mitigates injury from button battery ingestion in a pediatric animal model. The Laryngoscope, 129(1), 49–57.

Tanaka, J. et al. (2023). Jam as a safe and effective alternative to honey in young children for button battery injury mitigation. Pediatric Emergency Care.

But watch this space for an emerging guideline from the Australian Resuscitation Council

Sticky. Simple. Lifesaving.
Even if you don’t eat it, keep it.

ParentingTips EmergencyPreparedness FirstAidForParents KidsafeAustralia SaveALife HealthAndSafety PediatricCare MedicalEmergency NewParents safetyfirst

21/12/2025

It’s our favourite hack for splinters- a common occurrence in our household.

Watch to find out what works every time for us!

19/12/2025

Day 7. A toxic touch

Blue-ringed octopus stings are rare, but when they happen they are a true medical emergency.

These tiny, beautiful creatures carry powerful venom that can cause paralysis and breathing failure within minutes. There is no antivenom. First aid is pressure immobilisation and urgent emergency care.

A reminder this summer that the ocean is stunning, but not harmless. Look, don’t touch, and teach kids to do the same. 💙🐙

18/12/2025

Sweet Matilda,

We did not know you,
but you were one of our own.
You should have been protected,
so you could grow up safe and loved.

Today we honour the light you brought into the world.
Your joy mattered.
Your life mattered.

We will see bees differently now,
as a reminder of a little girl
who brought happiness simply by being here.

Your family has asked that you be remembered by your middle name, Bee.
We will honour that,
and remember the beautiful child you were.

Tonight, we hold our little ones a little closer.

16/12/2025

Today’s unwanted gift: painful sunburn. Australia’s sun is harsh, and when it comes to sun safety, prevention is always best.

Sunscreen
• Use SPF 30 or higher, broad spectrum
• Apply generously: about 7 teaspoons (35 mL) for an adult full body
• Use ½ teaspoon for face, neck, and ears
• Apply 20 minutes before sun exposure
• Reapply every 2 hours, and after swimming or sweating

First aid for sunburn
• Get out of the sun straight away
• Cool the skin with cool running water for 20 minutes
• Apply a moisturiser or aloe vera
• Increase fluids
• Seek medical advice for blistering, fever, chills, or severe pain, especially in children

14/12/2025

I am angry. I am overwhelmed. I am sad. I am carrying all the feelings many of us are holding right now. 💔

It is so easy to get lost in the darkness. But more than anything, this is the moment to look for the light. These acts are designed to cause harm, fear, and division. We cannot let them succeed.

Now more than ever, we choose unity. We choose compassion. We stand together against hate.

If you are looking for something practical to do:
Support the helpers and affected community
• Donate to verified victim support funds or community relief appeals
• Support local Bondi businesses and workers impacted
• Leave messages of thanks for first responders, retail staff, and security teams

Care for people emotionally
• Check in on people who may be especially shaken, including teens and young adults
• Offer to sit with someone, walk with them, or help with childcare or meals
• Give people permission to feel whatever they are feeling without trying to fix it

Be intentional with media and conversation
• Limit doom scrolling and step away when it becomes too much
• Share accurate information only and avoid speculation
• Call out harmful narratives calmly and redirect toward empathy

Create moments of light
• Light a candle or attend a vigil
• Write a note of gratitude or hope and share it
• Do something kind anonymously

Look after yourself
• Ground yourself through routine, movement, prayer, or quiet
• Talk to someone if the weight feels heavy
• Rest without guilt

Be thoughtful with your words. Hug your kids. Hold your people close. And never take safety, kindness, or community for granted. ❤️

13/12/2025

The fifth day of Christmas is a scary one. The lost child.

Losing a child, even for a moment, is possibly one of the most gut-wrenching things that can happen to you as a parent. There is no feeling like it, and you will never ever forget that moment. I lost my child at the beach when he was two years old, and I will take that feeling to the grave.

➡️Summer crowds are exciting but they are also loud, busy, and overwhelming, and that is when kids can disappear in seconds. Simple steps really matter.

👚Dress children in bright, distinctive clothing and take a quick photo before you head into a busy space. 📝Set a clear plan so they know to stop, stay put, and look for a uniformed worker or another parent if they cannot see you.
📞Teach them their name and your phone number, or use a wristband if they are little.
👉🏻Pick a meeting point when you arrive, keep physical connection in crowds, slow down during transitions, and do frequent head counts.
‼️Technology can help, but it should never replace your eyes, your instincts, or preparation.
📣Crowded places have systems in place, so if the unthinkable happens, act immediately and ask for help.

✨These small, practical steps can make the difference between a scare you recover from quickly and a moment that stays with you forever

10/12/2025

Summer holidays mean hot BBQ plates, lots of hot coffee (hopefully!), sizzling sand and lots of extra bare skin everywhere.

Burns can happen in seconds, and often when everyone’s distracted celebrating.

If it happens,
💦cool the burn under running water for 20 minutes, 👗take off anything still hot like clothing or jewellery and
🩹cover with a clean non stick dressing.

🚩Get it checked if there are blisters, no pain, it’s bigger than a 20 cent coin, or on hands, feet, face or sensitive regions.

For more tips, listen to Childhood Burns 101 on Prepared not Scared🎙️

08/12/2025

Today’s gift ~ Gastro 🎁🤢

’Tis the season for tummy bugs… and this one spreads quickly.

Fluids first, comfy rest, and hand washing is your secret weapon.

Soap + warm water + 20 seconds before food, after nappies and after changing clothes or linen makes a huge difference in the spread.

Track hydration- ins and outs and offer small frequent sips of fluid.

What’s your go to for gastro rehydration? We love .co and making our rehydration jelly. Recipe below:

Gelatine
Hydration powder
Water

➡️ Make your hydration drink up to 200ml
➡️ Follow gelatine powder instructions and add to hydration solution
➡️Refrigerate until set

Send all your hacks this way!!!

And check out the gastro ep on prepared not scared! We chat through red flags, when to get help an what you can do at home to support your little ones

PAEDS

24/12/2025

22/12/2025

21/12/2025

21/12/2025

19/12/2025

18/12/2025

16/12/2025

14/12/2025

13/12/2025

10/12/2025

08/12/2025

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