Stay Safe with First Aid Tips
Having a team of compassionate healthcare providers in your hometown is convenient when an illness or injury needs urgent attention. Unfortunately, your doctor and nurse practitioner can’t follow you around everywhere you go. Bumps, scrapes, cuts, and bruises happen — do you know how to treat them? First aid is a valuable skill not only to treat minor injuries, but to prevent major problems from becoming worse while waiting for first responders or medical professionals. This Trauma Awareness & Safety Month, learn some quick first aid tips and be ready for emergency situations should they arise.
Keep a first aid kit handy
Providing first aid starts with having the necessary supplies on hand, whether in your home or car. Alternately, you should know the location of the first aid kit at your office or workplace. The American Red Cross recommends home first aid kits should contain the following:
- Absorbent compress dressings (2x)
- Adhesive cloth tape
- Antibiotic ointment packets (5x)
- Antiseptic wipe packets (5x)
- Aspirin (2 packets, 81mg each)
- Bandages (25 in assorted sizes)
- Breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
- Emergency blanket
- Emergency first aid instructions
- Gauze roll bandage
- Hydrocortisone ointment packets (2x)
- Instant cold compress
- Nonlatex gloves (2 pairs)
- Oral thermometer (non-mercury, non-glass)
- Roller bandage
- Sterile gauze pads (5x)
- Triangular bandages (2x)
- Tweezers
Wash your hands.
When dealing with cuts or scrapes, keeping your hands clean and free of any bacteria can help reduce the risk of infection. Wash your hands frequently to minimize the amount of germs or rub your hands vigorously with 70% alcohol gel.
Create a plan with your kids.
If you aren’t around or are incapacitated for whatever reason, would your children be able to call for help? Teach your children how to react in an emergency in case you are unavailable. Instruct them on how to dial 911 and make sure they know your address. Keep emergency contacts and instructions in a clearly displayed place in your home.
Stop severe bleeding.
Severe bleeding can be fatal in just five minutes — swift, decisive action is imperative. Applying pressure on an exposed wound may stop the bleeding in some cases, but other more traumatic wounds may require a tourniquet. Learn more about how and when to apply a tourniquet with this infographic from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Treat burns.
Every year, 1.1 million burns require medical attention, according to the Centers for Disease Control. If you or someone you know has suffered a burn, use the “stop, drop, and roll” method to smother the flames, then remove all burned clothing or cut or tear around the burned area if clothing adheres to the skin. Remove jewelry, belts, or tight clothing from around the burn as it may cause swelling. Different burns require different treatments — first-degree burns can be treated with cool, fresh water, but second- and third-degree burns require more acute attention. For more information on burn treatment, check out this fact sheet from the CDC.