Emergency physicians suggest 10 things you need to know if you are ever in the position where you need to take a child to the emergency department:

1. Plan ahead. Where is the closest emergency department? How would you get there in an emergency? Have a plan and keep it with you.

2. If it’s a life and death situation, call 911. This may sound like common sense now, but common sense may fly out the window at the moment of an emergency. Your instincts may be to jump in the car, but it may be faster and safer to have help come to you. If you are driving to the emergency department, it’s important to remain cool, collected and to drive safely.

3. Be ready to answer questions. It is very helpful to emergency physicians to have an expectation of the visit that the adult can clearly verbalize to the physician. Good communication on all fronts makes the process run more smoothly.

4. If possible, bring the child’s medications, immunization records, medical history records and contact information for any doctors/pediatrician that may have treated them. Also have a record of recent physician visits and why they were seen. Gather all of your records in one spot so you don’t to fish around during an emergency. Consider storing some info in your laptop or cell phone.

5. Have a list of any allergies the child may have. Don’t rely on memory; you want to be able to provide the exact name of the drugs and dosages.

6. Explain to the child what is happening. Be sensitive to the situation and their age, but be honest. Keep communicating with them. Explain to them what may be confusing and reassure them that the emergency staff is there to help them. Also, let the child know it is okay for the physician to examine them.

7. Don’t let a child eat or drink anything if you are taking them to the emergency department. If they have a condition that requires evaluation or specific treatment, the child may require certain medications or sedatives. Let the physicians recommend when it’s OK for them to eat or drink.

8. Bring a sleepover bag in case the child is admitted. This bag should include a change of clothes, pajamas and favorites objects of theirs like a small toy, a favorite blanket, a book, or even a stuffed animal.

9. If someone is watching your child, (guardian, baby sitter, daycare provider, school nurse, etc.) make certain they have a consent form in that person’s name in the event of an emergency. You can download one by going to www.emergencycareforyou.org and clicking on emergency manual.

10. Stay calm. Remember that kids feed off cues given by adults. If you are impatient and panicked, most likely the child will be as well. Don’t add stress to an already stressful situation.