Burns and scalds are one of the most common home injuries and first response at home can make a real difference. Cooling the burn with cool or lukewarm water will help lower the temperature of the skin and a sterile nonstick bandage or gauze in your first aid kit helps to cover the burn.

Sprains and strains are part-and-parcel of childhood.  The Mayo Clinic recommends the simple acronym RICE: rest, ice, compression and elevate treatment. Making sure you having some ice packs ready in the freezer is also a must.

For active children, cuts and bruises unfortunately often come with the territory. Although some soothing words and a cuddle with mom or dad goes a long way, make sure you also have some first aid essentials at your fingertips. These should include antibiotic or petroleum jelly, alcohol-free cleansing wipes and an assortment of different size bandages.

In addition to the traditional injuries of bruises and sprains, recent research shows that 1 in 10 schoolchildren suffer from migraines, with some experts attributing this to a rise in screen time. If your little one is struggling with a headache, a cool, moist cloth across their forehead or eyes can help to ease symptoms along with some child-friendly pain-killers in small dosages as advised by the manufacturer.

Last but not least, when fever strikes you need a reliable thermometer.  High temperatures can be worrying, so you need the most effective tool to take an accurate reading.  Braun has an assortment of thermometers that provide several options for taking an easy to use accurate reading quickly to help you to decide the best next steps for you and your family.

More information on which thermometer is right for your family can be found here.

How do ear thermometers work?

The ear is a good site for temperature measurement because it reflects the core temperature of the body¹. Body temperature is regulated by the hypothalamus², which shares the same blood supply as the tympanic membrane³. This means changes in core body temperature are usually detected sooner in the tympanic membrane than other areas. 

Which one should I choose?

All Braun infrared ear thermometers feature ThermoScan technology, which measure heat generated by the eardrum and surrounding tissue to give an accurate temperature on an easy to read digital display in seconds. With three different models available, your family is in good hands when it comes to measuring temperature.

How do take a thermometer without touching?

Non-Contact thermometers are a quick and fuss-free way of measuring a child’s temperature. They measure the infrared heat waves emitted thru the surface of the skin.  This method is more gentle than other types of measurements because you don’t have to touch to get a reading.  It is a great choice when children are sleeping and ideal for newborns and young children, who may find in-ear thermometers off-putting.  With this type of measurement location it is important to read the instructions as the measurements can be influenced by air temperature, sweating or other factors.

Why should I choose it?

The Braun No touch + forehead with clinically proven accuracy offers two modes, touch and no touch, to provide complete flexibility when it comes to measuring temperature. With a proximity sensor, which indicates the correct distance, and a color-coded display, which conveys normal temperature, fever or a high fever, accurate readings can be achieved with ease.

Additional features include a backlight that is also great for nighttime readings and includes a silent mode for sleeping children, so you can monitor their temperature without disturbing their rest.

How do forehead thermometers work?

Similar to non-contact thermometers, a forehead thermometer is a quick and fuss-free way of measuring a child’s temperature that measures the infrared heat waves emitted thru the surface of the skin.  The main difference is that you need to gently touch the center of the forehead to take a reading.  It is a great choice for young squirmy children that are feeling under the weather. 

Why should I choose it?

The Braun forehead thermometer provides clinically proven accuracy with a simple touch of the forehead.  The color coded display helps convey normal temperature, fever or high fever providing reassurance as you interpret the temperature reading.  Additional features include memory recall of the last reading and the ability to read in Fahrenheit or Celsius

How does this type of thermometer work?

Digital stick thermometers offer flexibility when taking temperatures, as you can use them under the arm, orally, or rectally allowing you to pick the best method that suits both you and your little one. Using a flexible tip, they can measure temperature accurately for ease of mind.

Braun does not offer a digital stick thermometer but we recommend using the Vicks branded digital stick thermometers.  They are all clinically accurate, provide a color coded fever guidance and provide fast readings.

For babies who are born between July and December, the risk of catching flu is higher as they are still very young at the start of flu season. If you have the option, getting the vaccination yourself while still pregnant can help to protect young babies from infection.

If you have children over the age of two, they can receive the vaccine in the form of a nasal spray which will help to protect them from getting the flu and also from passing it on to younger members of the family.

When you’ve got a busy family and one child is unwell, it can be difficult to catch them when they cough or sneeze before they touch your little one or start playing with toys. Flu is very infectious, so it’s important to as well as washing hands regularly catch the flu virus in tissues and to wash with soap and warm water to help prevent it from spreading.  Try making up a song to encourage younger children to follow these simple steps. Seeing this as a fun game with mummy or daddy singing along will mean they are much more likely to take part.

Trying to look after sick children and keeping the house clean is a hard task. To stop germs from spreading in the home, try to focus your cleaning efforts on the areas where they are more likely to spread to other members of the family, and in particular your baby. Wash hard or plastic toys and pop any soft toys in the washing machine. Clothes should also be washed at 60 degrees Fahrenheit to eliminate germs.

It is well known that humidifiers are useful to soothe the symptoms of colds by adding moisture to the air which can help soothe dry tickly coughs. However, humidifiers can also play a role in protecting your child from the flu in the first place.

By maintaining the moisture levels between 40-60% in your baby’s room, humidifiers can keep the air at optimal levels for reducing the survival of flu viruses on surfaces and in the air.