Although more than 60 children a year die in accidents in the home, almost a quarter of parents admit they don't have any baby or child first aid knowledge.

A new study shows 21% of mums and dads have been forced to give a child emergency first aid, but only 31% said they felt confident doing it. Instead, 38% were terrified the child could die, 20% were worried they'd be left injured, and 11% panicked and froze completely.

As a result, St John Ambulance and the parenting channel ChannelMum.com have teamed up to produce a new video first aid course that features vital first aid techniques and signs of common illnesses, plus tips from TV GP Dr Dawn Harper, and real-life experiences from mummy vloggers like Charlie O'Brien.

Isobel Kearl, national training officer at St John Ambulance, says the videos are a great starting point for parent first aid and highlight how easy and quick it is to learn essential lifesaving skills.

And she stresses: "For parents looking to further their first aid knowledge, our basic first aid courses take between just three to six hours and give hands-on experience. Once parents know what to do, they have the confidence to take action quickly and are able to act if needed."

BIGGEST FEAR

The ChannelMum study found the most frightening first aid scenario for parents is choking, with 53% saying it was their biggest fear. Almost a quarter of parents have faced the reality of their child choking.

The next most alarming situation is a seizure - with 14% of parents reporting their child has had one - followed by a severe allergic reaction, experienced by one in 20. Meningitis was a very real fear for 6% of parents, and 16% have had to treat their child for a burn. In addition, almost one in 10 has given CPR to a child.

The survey of 2,000 adults showed becoming a parent was the biggest trigger for 55% of parents who wanted to improve first aid knowledge, compared to just 11% who went on to learn more first aid after having a serious accident themselves.

CHILDPROOFING

The poll also revealed 84% of parents attempt to childproof their home to reduce the risk of accidents. However, just 42% keep a first aid kit at home.

And while 82% of families ensure they keep medicines out of children's reach, over a third (36%) admit they leave laundry items, which can be toxic, within children's grasp, while 54% have yet to secure TVs to stop them falling. A further 43% don't tie up blind cords, despite them being linked to several child deaths.

JUST ONE MINUTE

Parents correctly identified that one minute a day spent learning first aid and minimising risks can cut the chance of children having a serious accident or needing first aid.

Siobhan Freegard, founder of ChannelMum.com says: "Giving first aid to a baby or child can be frightening, but not as frightening as not knowing what to do.

"We want to reassure parents they can learn first aid basics quickly, and they could make all the difference if their child, or someone else's, falls ill."

QUICK LIFESAVING TIPS

CHOKING:

  • Always cut food lengthways not across.
  • Keep handbags out of reach - children commonly choke on money and pen lids.
  • If your child is choking, never poke inside their mouth as this could push the blockage further down.

BURNS

  • Any burn bigger than your child's palm needs urgent medical attention.
  • Put burns into cold water for at least 10 minutes.
  • Cover in cling film to keep sterile before getting help.
  • Remove loose clothing but if clothes stick, leave them on until help arrives.

ALLERGIES

  • Have antihistamines in your home.
  • Be aware allergies can show up during weaning.
  • Treat a rash with antihistamines.
  • Swollen lips or tongue? Get to hospital.

FEVER

  • Under six months a fever is 38 degrees C. Over six months it's 39 degrees C.
  • Never treat children with aspirin - check the medicine label.
  • Child not getting better after 72 hours? Get medical attention fast.

CPR

  • ABC - Airways, Breathing, Circulation.
  • Start with five rescue breaths, then 30 compressions/ two rescue breaths and repeat until help arrives or the child breathes.
  • Use the song Nellie the Elephant as your timing guide. At least 120 compressions a minute.

SEIZURES

  • If your child has a seizure, place them gently on the floor and clear space around them.
  • If the seizure lasts more than two minutes, get medical help.
  • If your child has a seizure without a temperature, get medical help.

MENINGITIS & SEPSIS

  • Don't wait for the rash - learn the other signs including joint and limb pain, light sensitivity, blotchy pale skin, flu-like illness and cold hands and feet. Babies may have a high-pitched cry.
  • Be aware sepsis can happen from any infection, and signs include no wet nappy for 12 hours, vomiting, convulsions, feeling cold, not feeding and hard to wake.

ASK THE EXPERT

Q: "I've just had my first baby and while I feel fine, my husband seems low. Could his depression be linked to the baby - I thought it was just mothers who got postnatal depression?"

A: Dr Lisa Underwood, a research fellow at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, has just led a study into prenatal and postnatal depression in fathers.

She says: "Approximately one in 40 men reported experiencing depression in the past year, and this number may rise to around one in 25 during the postnatal period according to our recent study on 3,523 men whose babies were nine months old.

"In the study, those particularly at risk of developing symptoms post-natally were men who had a past history of depression, were unemployed, or were experiencing relationship difficulties.

"The risk of depression after the birth of a child is lower for men than for women - in the same study, one in 12 mothers experienced postnatal depression symptoms.

"However, it's still important that we recognise and treat symptoms of depression among fathers, given the influence they have on their children's development and on their partner's wellbeing.

"It's also important to realise that both men and women can experience prenatal depression (symptoms that occur during pregnancy).

"We need to reach men and women who are vulnerable to postnatal and/or antenatal depression by talking more about mental wellbeing and the support services available as part of the discussions that health providers have with couples during pregnancy."