Prepared Not Scared (Penny Blunden & Sarah Duncanson)

Welcome to Prepared Not Scared.

Penny from @sick.happens and Sarah from @paeds_education are here to chat all about inevitable illness and injury. We are going to be walking you through all the things parents and families freak out about: fevers, choking, gastro, burns and the rest. 

Let's go.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your healthcare provider with any questions you have regarding your child's health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you've heard on this podcast.

In this episode of Prepared Not Scared, Paediatric Nurses Penny and Sarah delve into one of the most common—and preventable—injuries in childhood: burns. Through personal stories and professional experience, they highlight the realities of burns in children, covering everything from kitchen mishaps to outdoor fires and playtime accidents. With practical advice on first aid for burns, Penny and Sarah provide straightforward, evidence-based steps that parents can use to prevent burns and respond effectively if one occurs.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Common Causes of Burns in Children
• Types of Burns (Superficial, Partial Thickness, Full Thickness)
• Immediate First Aid for Burns – 20 Minutes of Cool Running Water
• Red Flags for Burns (BURNS Acronym)
• Understanding Burn Severity and When to Seek Medical Help

Takeaways:

• Burn Prevention: From kitchen safety to campfires, knowing how to spot potential burn hazards and making small adjustments at home can prevent many common childhood burns.
• Burns First Aid: Always start with 20 minutes of cool running water (no ice, oils, or creams initially). This is essential to relieve pain, minimise damage, and help the skin begin healing.
• Recognising Red Flags: The BURNS acronym can help parents identify when a burn needs urgent medical care:
  • B – Blisters
  • U – Unsure if it’s healing
  • R – Restricted areas like neck or airway
  • N – Nethers (sensitive areas)
  • S – Size larger than a 50-cent coin
• Seeking Medical Help: Any burn that meets the red flags criteria, or if in doubt, should be assessed by a healthcare provider. Treatment and follow-up are important for proper healing, particularly to prevent infection or scarring.

Additional Resources:

• Fiona Wood Foundation for more information on burns research and treatments
• Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines on burn first aid
• Solid Starts app for tips on child safety and injury prevention

Understanding Fevers – What Parents Really Need to Know

In this episode of Prepared Not Scared, Paediatric Nurses Penny and Sarah tackle a topic filled with anxiety for many parents—fevers. Fevers are an inevitable part of childhood, but they don’t have to come with fear and panic. Penny and Sarah discuss what fevers are, why they happen, and how they’re actually a healthy part of a child’s immune response. With clear and grounded advice, this episode offers practical guidance to help parents confidently navigate fevers without fear.

Key Topics Discussed:

• What Is a Fever?
• When To Worry and Red Flags.
• Practical Fever Management.
• Febrile Seizures Explained.

Takeaways:

• Fevers are a common, natural immune response to infection in children.
• Understanding the context of the fever, rather than the exact number, can help parents better assess their child’s health.
• Focus on hydration, comfort, and observing symptoms rather than obsessing over temperature readings.

Mentioned Resources:

• For listeners in rural areas, Penny and Sarah recommend resources like the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department and Nurse on Call (Victoria) or Health Direct (Australia-wide) for accessing paediatric advice remotely.

Please visit Paeds Education for paediatric first aid courses, or Sick Happens for childhood illness courses 

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your healthcare provider with any questions you have regarding your child's health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you've heard on this podcast.

Paediatric Nurses Penny and Sarah discuss the all-too-common topic of head injuries in children. From playground falls to tumbles at home, they break down everything parents need to know, including common causes, how to recognise red flags, and when it’s time to seek medical help. With practical tips and an easy-to-remember acronym for assessing injuries, Penny and Sarah guide parents in understanding when a head injury is mild or may require immediate medical attention.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why head injuries are so common in young children
• The HEADS acronym to identify red flags of a serious injury
• Understanding the significance of a child’s height and impact in head injuries
• When and how to safely let your child sleep after a head injury
• Practical prevention tips to reduce the risk of head injuries at home

Takeaways:

HEADS Assessment: Use this simple acronym to assess for red flags after a head injury. Seek medical attention if any of these apply:

• H – Height: Falls from over 1 meter or double the child’s height warrant a thorough assessment.
• E – Ears & Eyes: Blood or fluid from ears or eyes may indicate serious injury.
• A – Agitation: Unusual irritability or agitation after a fall can signal a more severe issue.
• D – Drowsiness: Sudden sleepiness or abnormal drowsiness after a head injury should be evaluated.
• S – Spew & Speech: More than one vomit, slurred speech, or high-pitched crying in infants are all red flags.

When in Doubt, Get Checked Out: Call Nurse on Call or Health Direct if you’re unsure about a head injury—they can provide guidance on whether your child should go to the emergency department.

Preventive Tips: Helmets, supervised risky play, and furniture safety precautions are essential to reducing the likelihood of serious head injuries.

Additional Resources:

• Royal Children’s Hospital – Child safety tips and head injury guidelines
• Nicole Kids Physio on Instagram for practical advice on safe risky play

Learn First Aid and what to do when your child is sick:

Visit Paeds Education for paediatric first aid courses.

Sick Happens for childhood illness courses 

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your healthcare provider with any questions you have regarding your child's health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you've heard on this podcast.

Paediatric Nurses Penny and Sarah dive into one of the most challenging and contagious childhood illnesses: gastro. Drawing from personal experiences and professional expertise, they break down everything parents need to know—from understanding symptoms and spotting red flags to practical hydration tips that help prevent dehydration. With real-world advice on managing vomiting and diarrhoea, Penny and Sarah equip parents with the tools to confidently handle gastro at home and know when it’s time to seek medical help.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Common causes and symptoms of gastro
• Practical hydration strategies to prevent dehydration
• At-home management for vomiting and diarrhoea in children
• Red flags for dehydration that signal a need for medical intervention
• Differentiating gastro from food poisoning

Additional Resources:

• Sick Happens Course: In-depth information on managing gastro, dehydration, and practical hydration strategies for children.
• Hydration Tracker (Sick Happens) for tracking fluid intake and output during illness

Learn First Aid and what to do when your child is sick:

Visit Paeds Education for paediatric first aid courses.

Sick Happens for childhood illness courses.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your healthcare provider with any questions you have regarding your child's health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you've heard on this podcast.

In this episode of Prepared Not Scared, Paediatric Nurses Penny and Sarah share critical insights into choking prevention and first aid, arming parents with practical steps to keep children safe while handling food and small objects. Through real-life stories, including Sarah's own double choking scare, they highlight the speed at which choking can happen—even under the most watchful eyes. This episode aims to equip parents with confidence and practical knowledge to manage choking hazards effectively, using both prevention techniques and first aid skills.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Choking Prevention Tips
• Understanding High-Risk Choking Hazards
• The Four S's of Choking Prevention (Shape, Sitting, Supervision, and Searching)
• How to Perform Choking First Aid for Babies and Children
• Guidance on When to Call Emergency Services

Takeaways:

• Choking can happen quickly: Even with precautions in place, choking incidents can occur. Parents shouldn’t feel guilty when they do; knowing what to do is what matters most.
• The Four S’s for Preventing Choking: Shape (food preparation), Sitting (always sit down to eat), Supervision (watch while eating), and Searching (remove hazards) can help minimise choking risks.
• Key First Aid Steps: From using back blows and chest thrusts to knowing when to call triple zero, this episode provides a detailed guide on how to act effectively if a child begins to choke.
• Stay calm and trust your instincts: Recognise that force may be necessary to dislodge an object. Don’t fear bruising if it means helping your child breathe again.

Additional Resources:

• CPR Kids’ Four S’s of Choking Prevention
• The Solid Starts app for safe food preparation tips by age
• Emergency Plus and What3Words apps for locating emergency help, particularly in remote areas

Learn First Aid and what to do when your child is sick:

Visit Paeds Education for paediatric first aid courses.

Sick Happens for childhood illness courses 

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your healthcare provider with any questions you have regarding your child's health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you've heard on this podcast.

In this episode of Prepared Not Scared, Paediatric Nurses Penny and Sarah tackle the alarming rise of whooping cough in Australia, equipping parents with essential knowledge to protect their families during this epidemic. With over 40,000 cases this year, the highest in nearly a decade, they explain what’s behind the surge, who’s most at risk, and the critical steps you can take to prevent its spread.

Key Topics Discussed >>>

•  Why whooping cough cases are surging in Australia.
•  Understanding the disease: symptoms, transmission, and risks.
•  Prevention strategies, including vaccination schedules for children, teens, and pregnant individuals.
•  Recognising red flags in babies and children, like breathing difficulties or colour changes during coughing fits.

Takeaways >>>

•  Whooping cough is serious but preventable.
•  Mild symptoms in older children and adults fuel the spread.
•  Know the red flags *especially* in infants and newborns. 
•  Stay up to date with your vaccination schedule AND boosters.

Additional resources >>>

https://nindss.health.gov.au/pbi-dashboard/ 

https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Whooping_cough/ 

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/whoopingcough 

Learn First Aid and what to do when your child is sick:

Visit Paeds Education for paediatric first aid courses.

Sick Happens for childhood illness courses.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your healthcare provider with any questions you have regarding your child's health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you've heard on this podcast.

In this episode of Prepared Not Scared, Paediatric Nurses Penny and Sarah help parents prepare for a safe and stress-free holiday season. From preventing injuries to staying vigilant around water, they share practical advice to navigate the unique risks that come with Christmas and summer celebrations.

With the excitement and chaos of the holidays, accidents can happen quickly. Penny and Sarah break down the most common risks and offer tips to keep your kids safe—whether they’re riding a new bike, splashing in the pool, or enjoying festive fun.

Key Topics Discussed:

•  Triage of safety AKA a safety-walk-around in new environments to be aware of dangers.
•  Appropriate supervision.
•  Check for local hospitals, urgent care or Doctor accessibility in new locations.
•  Water safety tips to prevent drownings during summer gatherings.
•  Food, fire and transport safety.

Additional Resources:

• Nicole Kids physio for risky play 
• Emergency Plus app 

Learn First Aid and what to do when your child is sick:

Visit Paeds Education for paediatric first aid courses.

Sick Happens for childhood illness courses.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your healthcare provider with any questions you have regarding your child's health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you've heard on this podcast.