I see hazards in our everyday life: apartments with swimming pools, picnic spots without lifeguards, choking hazards in everyday food, untrained babysitters, daycare centres without trained staff - the list is endless. As I have four other children, life can be full of paranoia if I were to dwell on the negative side of things.

On the other hand, I can equip my children with some first aid knowledge. I remind them often of what they can do if something happens to their friends. They are to call an adult, be brave and not run away if a friend is hurt. I know I have made a difference when my six-year-old got burnt recently. A piece of skin had peeled off his upper arm. Instead of screaming in pain and staying rooted to the spot, he rushed to the sink and thrust his injured arm under the running tap water before his sobs alerted me. I am relieved that all my “campaigning” has not been in vain.

A CPR For Parents course will be conducted by Dr Cheang Hon Kit, a consultant paediatrician/neonatalogist of a private hospital in Penang, on Dec 20, 2004. Dr Cheang is a certified neonatal resuscitation programme instructor/certified paediatric advanced life support instructor. For more information, contact 04-6571888, ext 1011 or e-mail hlwe@po.jaring.my

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