An Australian nurse has revealed why every parent should have a red cloth in their first aid kit.
Pediatric nurse Sarah Hunstead, who is behind children's and first aid education group CPR Kids, said a red cloth will hide blood and calm young people if they suffer an injury.
“If you or your little one don't like the sight of blood, or if your little one completely freaks out at just one drop, these are a must,” she said in an Instagram post.
Many choose to keep a white cloth in their first aid kits to cover wounds or eliminate nosebleeds.
Sarah said parents of children who can't stand the sight of blood are better off using a red cloth to keep squeamish youngsters calmer in a stressful situation.
Scroll down for the video
Pediatric nurse Sarah Hunstead said every parent should have a red washcloth in their first aid kit rather than a white one. Red hides blood better and calms squeamish children
“They can help with the fear and anxiety that some small (and large) people get when they see blood, which helps make dealing with nosebleeds or cuts easier,” she said.
In a video, the first aid expert showed how effective a red and white cloth were next to each other.
A teaspoon of fake blood looks like any liquid on the darker towel, but on the white towel it clearly appears bright red.
Sarah added that if parents can't find a red cloth, they can also use dark colors like black or navy blue to hide blood stains.
Parents in the comments were grateful for the helpful advice.
“Oh wow, my son has chronic ITP so we get nosebleeds regularly and I'd never thought of that before!” “Amazing, thank you,” said one mother.
“I never thought about it. Good tip! “I actually don't think I've seen red washers in the shops – I'll be on my guard now,” added a second.
'So easy. So smart. “So well done,” wrote a third.
I'm a pediatric nurse – this is the “brilliant” reason every parent should have a red washcloth in their first aid kit