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Emergencies & safety

Seizures: keep them safe

Careboundless·For caregivers · 3 min read

A seizure can look alarming, but a calm presence and a few simple steps keep your person safe until it passes.

During the seizure

  1. Ease them to the floor and clear away anything hard or sharp.
  2. Cushion the head with something soft and gently turn them onto their side.
  3. Loosen anything tight around the neck. Note the time it starts.
  4. Do not hold them down and do not put anything in their mouth.

After it ends

  1. Stay with them as they wake — they may be confused or tired.
  2. Speak softly, reassure them, and let them rest.

A few tips

  • Time it. Most seizures stop within 1–2 minutes.

When to get help

  • Call 911 if the seizure lasts over 5 minutes, repeats, happens in water, follows a head injury, or it’s their first one — or if they don’t wake up normally.
Your steady calm is the safest place in the room.

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Careboundless is a care-coordination and support tool, not a medical provider. This is general information, not medical advice — in an emergency call 911, and always consult a qualified professional for health decisions.