Important info about your First Aid Kit

Injuries, such as abrasions and/or burns may occur after medical emergencies happen. If families, acquaintances and caring individuals have the available contents of a FIRST AID KIT, the security of having one, will give one the confidence of being ready to provide medical assistance in an acute situation. There are times, when the layman can do something if he /she has the proper first aid supplies to ameliorate the medical situation. If one has the ingredients below at his/her disposal, he/she can cause the flow of blood to subside, keep a wound clean and help to keep away germs until professional/paramedic intervention arrives.

Please don't forget to replenish the kit as supplies are used.

The Federal Government's Homeland and Security Department places an important emphasis on proper contents in A FIRST AID KIT to be used to help people in need.

They suggest you include the following in the First Aid Kit: Disposable gloves, preferably sterilized, (not latex, if allergic, of course), sterile dressing to help any bleeding subside; disinfecting/cleaning /liquid soaps solutions and antibiotic/disinfectant wipes; a salve which will prevent inflammation and infection. Have specific ointment for burns, adhesive white tapes in various widths and the kind with air holes for breathing. Have a solution to wash out the eye or to use to decontaminate the area of a wound. An oral thermometer is advisable. Personal/private needs like insulin, a dosage of medicine for heart problems or an inhaler for asthma sufferers. Periodically check for expired dates so, fresh substances can be substituted for old stock. Additional items for better preparation to assist the injured in a FIRST AID KIT would include: A cellular telephone to contact emergency help (fire /rescue squad/paramedics) aspirin / Ibuprofen to help with pain. A simple instrument like a tweezers could help substantially as could anti-diarrhea pills or liquids, heart burn pills, a jar or tube of petroleum jelly for soothing protection for minor burns, maybe even a laxative.

In substantiation of the importance of having a FIRST AID KIT , The New York City Fire Department strongly proposes the following list of items for FIRST AID KIT: Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and aspirin tablets to provide relief for headaches, pain, fever, and simple sprains or strains. (Aspirin should not be used for relief of flu symptoms or given to children.) Ipecac syrup and activated charcoal for treatment after ingestion of certain poisons (Use only on advice of a poison control center or the emergency department. Elastic Wraps for wrapping wrist, ankle, knee, and elbow injuries. Triangular Bandages for wrapping injuries and making an arm sling. Scissors with rounded tips. Adhesive tape and 2" gauze for dressing wounds. Disposable, instant ice bags for icing injuries and treating high fevers. Bandages of assorted sizes: For covering minor cuts and scrapes.

Antibiotic ointment: for minor burns, cuts, and scrapes; gauze in rolls and in 2" and 4" pads for dressing wounds; bandage closures of 1/4" and 1 " to tape cut edges together; tweezers to remove small splinters and ticks; safety pins to fasten bandages; rubber gloves to protect yourself and reduce the risk of infection when treating open wounds; First Aid Manual and a listing of emergency telephone numbers. The Mass Group emphasizes the importance of having the recommended items in a FIRST AID KIT. If there is a limited budget for purchasing a KIT, then, at the least, a standard kit with basic necessities should be considered. A FIRST AID KIT should be a common object in the home, car or workplace.

The following suggestions are useful to bear in mind in storing and using your FIRST AID KIT: A properly filled FIRST AID KIT should be an accepted article in you residence, mode of transportation and location of work. If you chose not to purchase one from a store like AMAZON and do not have a properly labeled box, then label any container or bag with big letters. Again, have a Kit in your HOUSE, APARTMENT, TRAILER HOME, TENT FOR OUTINGS, CAR , BUS, TRUCK, MOTOR- CYCLE, MOTOR SCOOTER, EVEN a BICYCLE etc., WORKPLACE offices ,factory, warehouse and distribution, boats , ships , aircraft , even working underground such as a MINE. Make sure , The KIT is in easy reach and not back in a closet which will take several minutes to get. If one thinks the KIT should be locked, then the whereabouts of the keys must be known by a least two three adults or responsible youths. Of course, the Kit should be high enough or behind closed doors to prevent little children from getting to it.

As was mentioned previously, a FIRST AID KIT should be inspected carefully to know when to throw away spoiled or expired items and buy new ones. For the sake of others, please review techniques and practices you have learned about how to use all the items in the FIRST AID KIT. This can be a life-saving exercise, Sign up for a course in FIRST AID, and/or CPR at your emergency medical center. Talk to the captain at the local Fire and Rescue Squad to teach a course if it is not offered. It's sensible to go over some basic help procedures with children who can comprehend first aid practices. Finally, organize the contents of your FIRST AID KIT so that they can be used readily in a emergency. Make a list of all the items and tape it to the lid. Write out a list of telephone numbers of the local fire dept, doctor, hospital, parents and relatives.

Finally, maintain an ongoing list of replacement articles to buy in the Kit, because when the time comes, one wants to have all items ready and fresh.

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