The holiday season is fun, but the increase in outdoor activities and being far from home can come with minor mishaps.
To deal with these events, you need to be prepared. While nothing can replace the advice of medical professionals when you are far from home, it’s worth having a first aid kit.
A well-stocked kit should contain:
* Absorbent gauze dressings
* Adhesive tape
* Antiseptic wipes
* Stretch bandages in various sizes
* Anti-bacterial ointment to promote wet healing, which is less painful and minimises scarring
* Hydrocortisone cream for the treatment of bites, stings or other skin irritations
* Tweezers
* A sharp pair of scissors
* A thermometer
* A few pairs of latex gloves
* Saline solution
* Eye drops
* Painkillers
* Antacids
* Antihistamines
* Anti-inflammatory cream
* Gel ice-pack
* Sterile gel burn dressings in various sizes
* First aid manual
* Blanket (obviously this won’t fit in the kit)
For children:
Remember that child-safe medications might be difficult to come by, so stock up on anti-inflammatories, cold medication and painkillers so that you can treat any ailment that might come up.
Interesting sticky plasters are a good idea to keep minor cuts or scratches clean and to distract children from their injuries.
For the holidays:
Although one of the most important items in your beach bag should be sunblock, it’s not a bad idea to take along a bottle of after-sun cream for the person who spends too long outdoors.
Remember to stock up on any prescription medication or items that you need for specific ailments.
Also take along medication which you don’t need all the time, like antihistamines for bee sting allergies.
If you are going somewhere where there are likely to be mosquitoes, take along an effective repellent, and make sure to check if you need malaria prophylaxis.
First aid at a serious accident:
Everyone – especially parents – should do a first aid course to know exactly what to do at the scene of an accident or household or outdoor injury.
There are additional first aid items you may need, like a one-way mouthpiece for performing CPR.
Most courses will run you through what you should have in your first aid kit.
Nobody wants to go on holiday fearing the worst, but it’s always a good idea to be prepared. – Source: Profmed, Daily News