Would YOU know how to save your child's life? Follow our top tips to make sure you do

Two-thirds of parents wouldn’t know what to do in a health emergency - make sure you’re not one of them with our essential guide

The long summer holidays are, for the most part, a time of fun and frolics, but they can also be a risky period for kids.

NHS figures show the rate of serious accidents among children soars during the six-week break.

Every day, 58 children will be rushed to the emergency room after being accidentally poisoned, while choking is the most common cause of death for under-fives.

These are statistics parents should not ignore, warns Joe Mulligan, head of first-aid education at British Red Cross. “We’re often in denial and think things can’t go wrong,” he says, “but learning basic first aid means you won’t feel helpless if the worst does happen. You could save your child’s life.”

Here’s Joe’s essential guide to dealing with the most common ¬emergency ¬situations.

Your child swallows something harmful

Harmful substances can include alcohol, drugs, cleaning products and some plants.

First, establish what they have taken, when and how much. The emergency services will want to know this information. Then call 999 or go straight to hospital, taking the substance bottle with you.

Hits their head

A blow to the head may result in the baby or child having pain or a ¬headache. There may be a bump and they may look pale.

Get the baby or child to rest and apply something cold, such as frozen peas in a tea towel. This reduces external swelling and pain.

If there is any loss of consciousness or they become drowsy or vomit, call 999 or take them to hospital immediately, as this can be a sign of concussion and a more serious head injury.