First Aid Kit 2

First Aid Kit



Every home should have a well stocked first aid kit. You can make up your own quite inexpensively. A shoe box strengthened with contact paper or a plastic two litre icecream tub makes a good container. The kit should contain :



• Sterile pads and dressings, including paraffin-soaked dressings



• Adhesive dressing of various sizes as well as one or two rolls of adhesive bandage



• Crepe and cotton bandages



• Small roll of cotton wool



• Safety pins



• Antiseptic lotion and tincture (Betadine, Savlon etc.)



• Scissors, blunt ended tweezers, sharp ended (splinter) tweezers



• Analgesic tablets and mixture (Aspirin or Paracetamol)



• Local anaesthetic cream or jelly or a small bottle of kitchen vinegar (for stings)



• Thermometer



• One metre square of cotton fabric (for sling, or pad for bleeding injuries)

Keep the kit out of children's reach but easily accessible. A similar kit should be kept in the car.





Burns and Scalds



If clothing catches fire, roll the child on the floor or in a carpet or blanket to put out the flames. Call for help. Flood the burnt or scalded area with cold water for at least five minutes. Don't remove adherent clothing. Don't apply any antiseptics or creams. Cover the burnt area with a clean handkerchief or sheet and take your child straight to your doctor.



Bites and Stings



Sandflies, mosquitoes and various other insects can bite. Wash and dry the area. Apply a cold compress if swollen. If itchy, dab with Calamine lotion, Eau de Cologne or Vinegar.





Apply a dressing to prevent scratching and infection. Seek medical advice if the victim shows any signs at all of an allergic reaction (excessive swelling, difficulty with breathing, vomiting, generalised skin rash).



Animal and human bites :



Stop bleeding, wash and dry wound, apply a dressing and take the child to the doctor or hospital without delay.



Snake, spider and dangerous insect bites :



Kill the biter, if possible, in case identification is necessary. Ring the ambulance or someone to drive you to emergency medical care. While waiting to go, bandage the bitten part (if a limb) firmly, starting 20 cm above and continuing 20 cm below the bite. Immobilise the limb with a splint. These measures help to prevent spread of venom. Watch breathing and pulse carefully. If either stops, give appropriate resuscitation.





MORE

Posted in: