Household accidents are common no matter where you live or how careful you are. For that reason, it is in everyone’s best interests to pick up a few first aid tips on how to treat minor bites, burns, and cuts. In most cases, these are minor injuries that people can take care of themselves if they know what to do. Here are a few basic guidelines that will help you be prepared so you can treat victims of an accident in a safe way.
Stock Your Kit Ready to Deliver First Aid
No matter how major or how minor your injury is, you won’t be able to treat it if you don’t have a properly set up first aid kit. Generally, people will buy a kit already stocked with supplies and keep them stored away until they are needed. However, if might be better if you put your own kit together, but when you do this make sure that you have on hand alcohol wipes, cold packs, adhesive tape, calamine lotion, aloe vera gel, saline wound wash, allergy medicine, scissors, antibiotic ointment, latex free gloves, elastic (ACE) bandages, tweezers, bandages in various sizes, pain relievers, hand sanitizer, and gauze rolls and pads.
Now that you’re ready, here are a few first aid tips on treating common household injuries when they come up.
What to Do for Cuts and Scrapes
First of all, make sure that your hands are clean, washing them with warm soapy water, or by using a hand sanitizer. First, stop the bleeding by covering the wound with gauze and applying pressure. Once the bleeding has stopped, clean the wound with cool water. If you have it, a saline solution is even better. Make sure you remove any dirt or debris with sterilized tweezers. Bandages are not needed. In fact, the wound will heal faster if left uncovered. Only use a bandage if there is a risk of getting dirt in the wound.
Bites and Stings
A bite can mean different things. If someone is bitten by a dog, stop the bleeding by putting gauze over the wound and applying pressure. Then clean with soap and water and cover with a clean bandage.
For insect bites and stings, make sure you remove the stinger carefully. Don’t squeeze it out but scrape it gently. Wash the area with soap and water and then apply a cool pack to stop the inflammation. Cover with calamine lotion or baking soda mixed with water. Spray with an antihistamine.
Burns
Depending on the extent of the burn there are several ways to approach it. First and second degree burns can easily be treated with your first aid kit. Run cool water over the burned area for five minutes. Apply antiseptic spray, antibiotic ointment, or aloe vera cream. Wrap loosely with gauze. A dose of pain relievers may be needed to ease the pain.
Using these first aid tips can be very practical when it comes to treating minor household injuries. However, always make sure to get medical treatment as soon as possible if the injury is more serious.
However, keep in mind that third degree burns will need immediate medical attention.
