Must-Be-Present Kits in Your First Aid Box

Just like the name implies, first aid is the immediate help given to an injured person to prevent complications and save the injured from danger, pending the time professional medical help arrives. Imagine if the help was not there, complications would ensue before proper help arrives. As much as the kitchen is an integral part of the house, so should the first aid box be an important tool in your home.

Having the box in your home is one thing, and knowing the most important kits that should be inside is another essential thing. Most people are clueless about what kits to get for their first aid box and therefore dismiss the idea of getting it since they do not have any idea what kits should be in the box. However, to end such cluelessness, there is a need to read this article to know and understand the importance of a first aid box, know what kits the first aid box should not lack, as well as tips on how to use some first aid kits while administering first aid.

Why You Should Keep a First Aid Box

The first and most important reason you should have a first aid box around you is; accidents and other ugly incidents can occur anywhere and at any time. It could be at home, at work, or during exercises. Most of these incidents are unexpected, and at the same time, they are inevitable. You cannot be too careful, and in order to prevent the result of the accident from migrating into complications, you need a handy first aid box.

Other reasons for keeping a first aid box include;

• All in one Place

The first aid box contains all the medical help needed to give every injury the first attack. Imagine having all these benefits in one place.

• On-the-spot Help

It provides on-the-spot medical help and has all the required tools and kits you need to attend to an injury or illness. It is cost and emergency effective and can be a perfect and immediate help. Injuries like burns, tears, bleeding, and cuts can be treated immediately with first aid kits. The first aid box supplies all the essential help needed to treat such minor injuries to prevent further damage.

• Buys Time for the Injured

First aid saves lives. It reduces the threat of further body or cell damage. First aid buys more time for the injured, pending the time medical help arrives.

• Reduces Risks of Complications

First aid kits prevent injuries and illnesses from getting worse. It provides immediate help to slow down the effects of the illness or injury.

• Less Expensive

First aid boxes are cost-efficient. They are also customizable and easy to make by individuals.

• Mobility

The first aid box is quite mobile and can be carried around.

• Relieves Discomfort

The first aid box contains all the kits required to relieve pains and discomfort from injuries like burns, cuts, and bleeding. It prevents burn complications, infections and reduces the rate at which the skin damages under this pressure.

• Support for Those Around You

You having a first aid box can help your neighbors and friends treat minor home and workplace injuries. Your first aid kits become useful when people around you experience injuries or illnesses and need urgent and immediate help to recover before they find their way to the hospital.

Important Contents of a First Aid Box

Contents of a first aid box are also known as first aid kits. These kits are used to treat conditions like sprains, cuts, burns, scrapes, splinters, skin problems, pains, aches, allergies, and stings. It can also help provide relief in conditions like fever, cold, sore throat, and cough both at home and at work.

A standard first aid box should include;

• Anesthetic lotion for relieving pains from stings and bites.
• Cotton wool for the covering and protection of open wounds to prevent infections.
• Bandages for holding down cotton wool.
• Anesthetic spray for sprains and joint aches.
• Rubber gloves to help prevent the spread of infections from an open wound. Rubber gloves could also be used as ice packs.
• Nose masks to help prevent the first aider from contracting infections such as cough.
• Resealable bags as ice packs. They can just be filled with water and frozen and can be used to reduce swellings.
• Safety pins for holding bandages together.
• Scissors for cutting
• Towels
• Tourniquet
• First aid manual
• Creams to relieve burn pains
• Antiseptics
• Aspirin and paracetamol
• Medication for cold and cough
• Insect repellant
• Thermometer
• Wound cleaning agents like spirit and hydrogen peroxide

First Aid for Minor Injuries

• For Burns

Except the burn is a third-degree burn, do the following;

Apply a cool compress on the surface of the burn for about 15 minutes, apply burn creams or aloe vera gel to reduce inflammation, pain and to prevent infection, apply antibiotic creams and slightly cover the wound, then seek medical attention immediately.

Note; DO NOT TREAT THE FOLLOWING KINDS OF BURNS AT HOME

• Third-degree burns
• Burns from electricity or chemicals
• Burns that leave large wounds on the skin
• Burns located on the groins, face, or buttocks.

• For CPR

Reviving an unconscious person before rushing to the hospital is very important as it can help prevent further complications like a coma. To carry out CPR even without any medical experience, ensure that the area around the unconscious person is safe, then place your two hands on the chest of the unconscious person, one on top of the other, and pound severally until the person comes around or until medical help arrives.

• For Poisonous Stings

Do not tie the area of sting with anything as some people would suggest. First, try to identify what stung the person in order to help the Doctor with more information about what treatment to administer. Position the person to sit in such a way that the blood does not flow towards the heart. Then use a sharp and sterilized blade or knife to slightly cut open the area of sting for the poisoned blood to flow out, after which you rush the victim to the hospital for further treatment.

• For Cuts

Clean the surface of the cut, apply wound cleansers like hydrogen peroxide, apply the spirit and cover the surface of the wound with cotton wool and hold it down with a bandage. Seek further medical help if need be.

• For Nose Bleeds

To treat nose bleeds, ask the injured person to lean their heads forward, then use a glove to hold down the nostrils and place more pressure on the nose for about five minutes. Keep checking until the bleeding stops. If the bleeding continues, then seek medical help.

First Aid Tips

While tending to injuries and illnesses as a first aider, it is important to protect yourself from infections. Do the following to protect yourself;

• Check the area carefully to ensure it is safe enough for you. Carefully remove or stay away from hazardous agents that could put your health at risk.
• Do not touch blood, vomits, and other body fluids with your bare hands.
• Wear protective clothing like gloves when treating open wounds and nose mask when treating cough patients.
• Sanitize your hands with alcohol-based sanitizers after administering first aid. Or get your hands cleaned with soap and water after first aid.
• Most important of all is teaching every other member of your family how and when to use the first aid kits and keeping the first aid box far away from the reach of children.

Where Should You Keep Your First Aid Box?

Most people suggest that for easy access after an injury, keeping the home’s first aid box in the kitchen is best. While the travel first aid box should be kept in a suitcase somewhere in the bedroom.

In conclusion, first aid is an essential and immediate help given to ill and injured persons to prevent complications before the arrival of medical help. For first aid to occur, there has to be a standard first aid box with essential basic kits to handle minor incidents. The first aid box and kits are cost-effective, mobile, and portable, making it easier for people to get basic medical help and relief, pending the time professional medical help arrives. A complete first aid box equals an adequate first aid administration. Due to the content of the box, it is important to keep the box locked and far away from children.