There is no telling when accidents happen. It can happen at any time without warning. The best that you can do is to make sure you stay calm, maintain presence of mind, and be prepared in case such happens, even while at home or on the road.
If you can’t foretell when it can happen, how can you be prepared? Well, the truth is, you need to be prepared at all times. Whether you have incurred a minor or grave injury, having a well-stocked first aid kit can make or break the situation you are in. If you don’t have one, you are in for a treat. Here’s a quick overview on why you need to invest in one and a list of supplies you need to get a hold of (like right now).
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Accidents happen
With everything digital nowadays, people have forgotten the importance of “staying safe”. Let me ask you this, do you know how to do first aid? Heck, even parents are guilty of this.
Do you know what’s even scarier? Over 2000 parents were surveyed and admitted that they don’t know even the most basic first aid treatments (90%), they think their babysitters also don’t know how to do first aid (92%) and they didn’t know what to do when they saw their child choke. As a parent, this freaks me out, because I also realized I don’t know what to do if it happens to my child too!
Just because you are home, it doesn’t mean you are safe. More often than not, we tend to overlook a situation because of how comfortable, relaxed, or trusting we are at a given place. When in reality, accidents literally can happen anywhere.
Statistics say that:
- over 3.4 million children get injured
- 2,500 children below 15 years old died because of unintentional injuries they’ve incurred while at home
- There are more than 4,200 children who fell down the stairs and 4,000 children under 15 years old who got injured from falling from a window.
- Yearly, 26000 children under 5 years old get burnt or scalded
- Ages 1 to 4 years old dies from drowning. Small children are especially susceptible to this because they can drown even with just 2 inches of water.
Knowledge saves lives
Because of their size and limited knowledge, children are prone to accidents. However, it happens to adults too. U.S stats prove that adults are not excepted. Of all injuries in the state, 33% occur while at home and 20% of deaths are caused by unintentional injuries.
What do all these statistics prove? It points to one thing, unexpected accidents happen. Adults and children can experience injury or death because of it. One thing is for sure, without knowledge on first aid treatment, one dire incident can turn into a nightmare. Having this skill is reassuring for the people around you and makes your family safe. When you have life-saving skills on your belt, having a first aid kit is a sidekick you can’t be without.
First aid kit essentials
1. Plaster Bandages in different sizes
Plaster bandages are the most common and practical must-have in your first aid kit. It is a small bandage for minor cuts and wounds during an accident. It can be used to cover the wound and to avoid infection.
2. Wound Dressing in different sizes
These thick pads are used to cover larger wounds. It controls the bleeding and serves as protection against infection.
3. Triangular Bandages
This type of bandage is made from a strong type of cloth which has been cut into a triangle shape. It is normally used to create a sling to hold splints in place and restrict movement. A triangular bandage can also be used for shoulder and hip injuries. This will help reduce swelling while providing support to the injured patient.
4. Waterproof Medical Tape
This hypoallergenic pressure-sensitive adhesive tape is used to hold wound bandages gauze and other medical dressing in place during treatment. Choose a waterproof, strong and skin-safe medical tape.
5. Safety Pins
These can be used to hold and secure bandages over a wounded arm or leg when performing the first aid. Make sure to store different sizes of safety pins to make sure it can be used in any procedure.
6. Sterile Wipes (Alcohol-Free)
Antiseptic wipes are used to clean infected areas before administering other treatment such as ointment and bandages. Unlike alcohol wipes, these are the sting-free kind of cloth that can be applied directly to the wound.
7. Sterile Medical Gloves
It is necessary to use disposable medical gloves when performing a medical examination during an emergency. This will prevent cross-infection between the patient and caregiver. Make sure to properly dispose of used medical gloves.
8. Scissors
Scissors should always be included in your first aid kit. While it is usually used to cut gauze and bandages, it can come in handy in cutting away clothing to expose and treat injuries.
9. Resuscitation Pocket Mask (CPR Mask)
A pocket mask or CPR mask is used to safely deliver rescue breaths during cardiac arrest. This is also used to protect the rescuer from infection when administering CPR.
10. Thermometer
Last, but not least, is a thermometer. It is used to measure and monitor body temperature which can be crucial during an emergency. High temperature may indicate an infection that requires immediate medical attention. The traditional thermometer can be handier than the bulky ear digital thermometer.
Invest wisely
Availing all of the items listed above will only cost you $69.71. Even if you decide to get more than one of each, it will still fall below $100! When you think about it, no amount of money can give you peace of mind. Rather than money, think about how a simple first aid kit can help save lives.
There’s a lot of things we often buy at $100. We can get the things we want. But does it really matter? When a loved one is taken away from us, we can’t help but think about what else could we have done differently. Don’t let that person be you. Don’t regret not doing what you can when you still have a chance.
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