Unintentional accidents are a leading cause of injury and death in the United States and they occur without warning.
You and your family can best prepare for these accidents before they strike by having assembled First Aid kits in the home and in the car. A good kit will enable you to be prepared for a variety of injury situations. It should contain bandages, tape, gloves and a biohazard bag for severe bleeding situations; for cuts and scrapes, antiseptic wipes, butterfly closures, tape and bandages. Particularly in warm weather, sting relief pads should be in your kit. A rescue blanket for the life threatening condition of shock should be in your kit along with a triangular bandage.
You should also have scissors, tweezers, a note pad and pencil, a SOS banner, disposable non-latex powder-free gloves, a cold pack and an emergency action guide. Once the kit is assembled, make sure that every family member knows where it is.
I carry a First Aid kit in my car, right under the driver's seat. It is much easier to retrieve in an emergency than from the trunk. Should I be in a rear-end collision, I would not be able to get to my kit. In addition, every disaster supplies kit needs to include a First Aid kit.
AND THERE IS NO substitute for First Aid training. When I first took the course, I learned how to put on a bandage. I learned what to do for puncture wounds and how to splint broken bones using available materials. I also learned how important it is to check the area, to call for help and then to administer First Aid. I learned what to do if someone is suffering a seizure and I learned rescue breathing.
The Alexandria Chapter of the American Red Cross has an inventory of First Aid kits in various sizes. Classes in First Aid and CPR are available as well. Both make ideal holiday gifts — gifts that show you really care.
If you have questions about this or other topics, e-mail Julie Wright at wrightju@usa.redcross.org. For more information about the services of the Red Cross, log onto alexandriaredcross.org. The Alexandria Chapter of the American Red Cross is located at 123 North Alfred Street, Alexandria 22314.