A Seizure can be terrifying if you’re not used to seeing one—and having one can be even more frightening! So how do you know what to do when your child has a seizure? Here are 8 tips to help keep them safe and calm during the event. More importantly, here are 8 things you should do after the seizure has stopped to help your child heal as quickly as possible and decrease the likelihood of another episode occurring soon. 

1) Keep calm  
If your child is having a seizure, it is important to remain calm. Take a deep breath and remember that seizures can be frightening, but they are usually harmless. If you panic or become too anxious, this can harm your child.  

Stay by their side, speak calmly and reassuringly, and do whatever you can to help them through the episode. If your child’s seizure lasts longer than five minutes, or if they experience multiple seizures in a row, seek medical attention immediately. 

2) Time the seizure 
If a child is having a seizure, it is important to time it. This is not an easy task and can be very stressful for parents. Make sure you stay calm and try to remember the start and end times of the seizure.  

The seizure’s length can vary from person to person and may last from a few seconds up to several minutes. Be aware that in some cases, multiple seizures may occur during the same episode. Once you have timed the seizure, contact your doctor or local hospital for advice on what steps to take next. 

3) Clear the area around the child 
It is important to clear the area around the child if they are having a seizure. Move any sharp or hard objects away from them, such as furniture and toys, so that they do not injure themselves. Make sure you stay with the child throughout the seizure and provide comfort by speaking softly and reassuring them.  

Do not restrain the child as this may cause further harm. If possible, try to gently turn the child onto their side to help keep their airway open. After the seizure is over, allow the child to rest for a few minutes before checking for any potential injuries. 

4) Loosen any tight clothing 
If your child is having a seizure, the first thing to do is to loosen any tight clothing they may be wearing.  

This can help reduce discomfort and allow them to breathe more easily. Make sure to remove eyeglasses, jewelry, or other items that may be causing pressure on their body. If the seizure continues, seek medical attention immediately. 

5) Put something soft under the child’s head 
If your child is having a seizure, the first thing you should do is make sure they are in a safe environment. Move any hard objects away and put something soft, like a pillow or blanket, under their head for cushioning. 

Stay close to them and talk to them calmly until the seizure stops. Call 911 if the seizure lasts more than five minutes or if your child is having difficulty breathing. 

6) Do not try to stop the seizure by restraining the child 
If your child is having a seizure, the most important thing to do is remain calm. Do not try to stop the seizure by restraining the child, as this can cause more harm than good.  

Instead, move any nearby objects away from the child, clear the area around them, and turn them onto their side. Make sure their airways are clear and stay with them until the seizure has stopped. 

7) Do not put anything in the child’s mouth 
If a child is having a seizure, do not put anything in their mouth. Doing so can cause choking or another injury. The best thing to do is to stay calm and call 911 if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes or if the child is unresponsive. 

8) Once the seizure has stopped, help the child to lie down 
Once the seizure has stopped, it is important to help the child lie down in a comfortable position.  

Make sure they are on their side, as this will help prevent them from choking on any saliva or vomit. If possible, remove any hard objects or furniture that may be around them so that they are not in danger of injury.  

Keep the child calm and provide reassurance. Speak softly and avoid sudden movements or loud noises as this could trigger another seizure. Stay with the child until they have fully recovered and, if needed, seek medical attention. 

Conclusion 
Seizures can happen to anyone, at any time, even young children. A seizure (or epileptic fit) happens when there’s abnormal electrical activity in the brain causing uncontrollable body movements or convulsions. While seizures themselves aren’t life-threatening, the resulting injury from falling over or trying to protect yourself could be fatal. You must know how to react if your child has a seizure so that you can keep them safe and comfortable until it ends naturally on its own or they are given emergency treatment.