I recently did an Instagram Live with Gail Gould, the CPR and Safety Lady. Gail is passionate about educating parents and grandparents about the need to be prepared for emergencies, and she has generously shared her life-saving advice with the More Than Grand family on multiple occasions! If you are on Instagram, you can watch the replay of that by clicking here.

Each time I speak with her, I am reminded that safety is a sometimes-overlooked part of being a grandparent. Which is a little ironic, because as a grandparent, you know that there's nothing more important than the safety and wellbeing of your grandchildren. You want to be there for them, protect them, and keep them safe from harm. But have you actually taken any steps to brush up on your skills to make sure you are prepared for emergencies?

Too few of us do. That’s why the Baby Care & Safety unit is one of the most valuable parts of New Grandparent Essentials. We want to make sure every new grandparent has up-to-date information on keeping your grandchildren safe, so we are now offering Baby Care & Safety for just $10 if you don’t want to buy New Grandparent Essentials in its entirety.

However, there’s only so much an online, digital guide can do towards preparing you for emergencies. In addition to brushing up on the latest information and recommendations, all grandparents should take a CPR/first aid class and a class on how to help a choking child.

 Why? Accidents can happen at any time. As much as we try to protect our grandchildren, accidents are a part of life. I’ve experienced this first hand.

 A couple of years ago, my husband and I were down by the lake with our 2- and 4-year-old grandchildren. They were happy just to sit on the dock and look for fish, and my husband soon decided to head back to the house. I told him I was nervous being in charge of both of them, but he dismissed my protests and left me sitting between them, with one hand on a leg of each child.

Within minutes, the two-year-old bent forward too far and was tumbling into the lake head first.

Thankfully, that hand on her leg immediately hauled her out, upside down and spluttering. Her bottom never even got wet, but her unexpected baptism left her spitting and snorting and crying. I held her tight, soothing her and trying to make it seem like a crazy adventure instead of a potential tragedy.

Luckily, my son and his wife graciously chose to focus on the outcome, rather than on the fact that I let her fall in to begin with. If they were bothered by the incident, they never let on, assuring me that they knew I’d never have let anything happen to her.

But I didn’t let myself off so easily. I had known it wasn’t a safe situation. They should have both been wearing life jackets, and there should have been two adults with them. The what-if’s plagued me for weeks. 

Life vests are now mandatory for everyone until they can swim from the end of the dock to the shore and back again.  We were lucky that it ended happily, but luck is a terrible thing to count on when it comes to accidents and emergencies.

From falls to choking incidents, it's crucial to be prepared to respond quickly and effectively. By taking a CPR/first aid class, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and skills to handle a wide range of emergencies. You'll learn how to assess the situation, respond appropriately, and provide life-saving care until medical help arrives.

You'll learn about a range of emergency situations, from cuts and bruises to more serious incidents like heart attacks and strokes. You'll learn how to recognize the signs of a medical emergency, how to perform CPR, and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). You'll also learn how to handle choking incidents, which can be especially dangerous for young children.

Choking is a common emergency that can occur in children of all ages, but it's particularly common in younger children who may not have fully developed their swallowing skills. As a grandparent, it's important to know how to respond quickly and effectively if your grandchild starts choking. In a class on how to help a choking child, you'll learn how to identify the signs of choking, how to perform the Heimlich maneuver, and how to clear the airway of a choking child.

These skills are essential for every grandparent to know, especially if you're going to be caring for your grandchildren. Whether you're watching them for a few hours or taking care of them for an extended period, you need to be prepared. Accidents can happen at any time, and knowing what to do in an emergency can make all the difference in the world.

In addition to the practical skills you'll learn in these classes, you’ll gain peace of mind knowing that you're prepared to handle an emergency. Instead of worrying about what you would do if something happened, you'll feel confident and capable of responding appropriately. What’s more, it’s an excellent way to gain trust with your grandchild’s parents.

Brushing up on your life-saving skills is also a way to set an example for your family. By demonstrating your commitment to safety and preparedness, you might inspire your loved ones to do the same. At the very least, you'll show them that you understand safety is a priority and that being prepared for emergencies is essential.

Don’t wait. Take action today—an accident might happen tomorrow. The Red Cross offers an online CPR class here. You can find Gail Gould’s class on how to help a choking child here.