HOUSTON – As families get ready for the new school year, a little preparation can bring a lot of peace of mind — especially when it comes to recognizing medical emergencies and knowing what to do next.
Friend of “Houston Life,” CPR and Safety Lady Gail Gould, stopped by the studio to share her advice on what parents, school officials — and even students should keep an eye out for.
What kids should know before the first bell
While children may not need to know everything, they can practice basic steps that can help in a critical moment.
- How to spot a real emergency: Teach kids to take action if someone is unconscious, not breathing normally, choking and can’t talk, having a severe allergic reaction, having a seizure that won’t stop, or bleeding heavily.
- How to get help fast: Kids should know to find an adult immediately and not assume someone else has already called for help.
- How to call 911 and give clear info: Practice what to say, including their full name, where they are, and what they’re seeing.
- Key personal info to memorize: Home address, parent/guardian name, and a phone number — plus a reminder to stay calm and speak slowly.
What parents should look out for
Heat illness in Houston
With practices and outdoor activities starting during the hottest months, parents should watch for early signs of heat exhaustion, such as heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, muscle cramps, and cool or clammy skin.
Heatstroke is more serious and can include confusion, collapse, seizures, unusual behavior, or very high body temperature. If heatstroke is suspected, call 911 and begin cooling the person right away.
Severe allergic reactions
Parents of kids with serious allergies should review the action plan with the school and with their child. Signs of anaphylaxis can include trouble breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, wheezing, widespread hives, vomiting, dizziness, or collapse. Epinephrine is the first-line treatment and it needs to be used quickly according to the child’s plan.
Asthma flare-ups
For students with asthma, parents should confirm how the school handles rescue inhalers — where they’re kept, who can access them and what the student is allowed to carry. The goal is simple: the medication should be reachable when it’s needed.
Concussions and “shake it off” pressure
Gould reminds families that a concussion can come from a hit to the head or a forceful impact to the body, and a student does not have to lose consciousness. Warning signs can include headache, dizziness, confusion, balance problems, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, slowed responses, memory issues, mood changes or unusual sleepiness.
If a concussion is suspected, the student should be removed from play and evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional before returning to sports.
When an athlete collapses
While it’s rare, sudden cardiac arrest can happen in young people, often without obvious warning signs. Gould says parents should talk to a medical provider if a child has symptoms such as fainting during exercise, unexplained chest pain, unusual shortness of breath or a racing heartbeat — especially with a family history of sudden unexplained death.
Questions to ask your child’s school
Gould encourages parents to check on the basics before the year begins:
- Does the school have a written emergency action plan?
- Who is CPR/first-aid trained on campus — and during after-school activities?
- Where are the AEDs, and can one reach the gym, fields, and playground quickly?
- How often are AEDs inspected and maintained?
- How are student medical needs (allergies, asthma, seizures) communicated to the right staff?
- What’s the plan when the nurse or primary responder isn’t on campus?
Free virtual safety webinar
Gould is hosting a free virtual Back-to-School Safety Webinar for parents and teachers on Tuesday, August 4, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Click here for registration details.