First Aid Kits - Preparing Yourself and Your Family for an Emergency

First aid kits are a great way to prepare yourself and your family for a variety of emergencies. They can be used for a number of different injuries, including minor falls, insect stings, burns and allergic reactions.

You can find these kits at most drugstores, or you can put together your own. Just make sure to keep them in a secure place and regularly replace the items you use.

Typical first aid kit contents include bandages, splinters, antiseptic wipes and a first aid guide or app. These are essential items for most people to have in their homes, as they can help them save lives in the event of an emergency. Get more details on first aid kits and how they are important during emergencies.

Other important items include a pair of tweezers, which are useful for removing small splinters and insect stings. Calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream are also useful for treating some types of skin problems, such as sunburn or poison ivy.

It's also a good idea to keep some bottled water and non-perishable food items in your car in case of an emergency. These items can be useful to treat shock if you're caught in bad weather and may help you get rescued from the scene.

A first aid manual can also be helpful in determining the best first aid treatments for certain situations, such as bleeding or shock. These books are available at most drugstores and can help you put together a comprehensive first aid kit.

There are a number of first aid training courses, such as "You Are the Help Until Help Arrives," that can help you provide basic first aid until professional medical care is available. These courses teach you how to give first aid, as well as how to properly use the supplies in a first aid kit.

These types of first aid training are often conducted through the American Red Cross or a local emergency medical services agency. The courses are free and are taught by licensed professionals.

While putting together your own first aid kit is one of the most valuable things you can do for yourself and your family, it's important to know how to use the items in it correctly. This can be achieved through taking a first aid course or by reading a first aid manual.

You should also make sure to check the expiration date of all medications, as some items in a first aid kit may have use-by dates. This is especially important if you take prescription drugs and want to ensure that they are safe to store in a first aid kit.

In addition to providing the basics, a first aid kit should have additional supplies to address the specific type of injury that might occur in your workplace. For example, a worksite that has heavy machinery requires more specialized equipment for injuries like fractures or amputations than an office worker would need. Get more info on where you can get these first aid kits now.

Kate Elkins, an EMS and 911 specialist in the Office of EMS and National 911 Program, recommends adding a CPR mask/breathing barrier, a sterile gauze pad and non-latex gloves to any first aid kit, as these are often required by occupational safety regulations. In addition, she suggests supplementing the kit with a commercial tourniquet and bandages for emergency situations. Check out this post for more details related to this article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_aid.