If a child has a seizure:
- Don’t restrain them.
- Place soft padding around them.
- Cool them.
- Once stopped place in recovery position.
- Call 999.
What are seizures?
A seizure can also be known as a convulsion or fit.
Signs and symptoms
Look for:
- abnormal response or no response
- jerking, with clenched fists and an arched back
- signs of a fever, with hot, flushed skin and sweating
- twitching of the face
- squinting, fixed or rolled back eyes
- drooling at the mouth
- vomiting
- loss of bladder or bowel control.
What to do
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Clear any objects away from around the child that could be dangerous. Then place pillows or soft padding, such as rolled up towels, around the child. This will help to protect them from injuring themselves while having the seizure.
- Do not restrain the child or move them unless they are in immediate danger.
- Do not put anything in their mouth.
- Note the time the seizure started if you can; this will help the ambulance crew and hospital staff decide how to treat your child.
- Call 999 or 112 for an ambulance.
- Once you have called for help, and made our child safe, it is helpful to capture a video of the seizure on your mobile phone if you can. This can aid diagnosis later.
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Try to cool the child down. Take off any bedding and strip them of a single layer of clothing to help cool them. You might need to wait for the seizure to stop to do this. Make sure there they don't get cold.
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When the seizure has stopped, place them in the recovery position to keep the airway open if they are breathing but unresponsive.
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While you wait for help to arrive, reassure the child and parent. Monitor the child’s level of response.
How to put a child in the recovery position
If a child is not responding to you but breathing normally, it’s safe to put them in the recovery position. Learn what to do.
