Preparing a First Aid Kit That Can Save Lives: A List of Must-Haves

When emergencies arise, a fully-equipped first aid kit makes the difference in how you deal with medical issues. As you curate the kit, consider all the common concerns, from burns and cuts to bruises and fractures, to do the proper stocking up of supplies. Here are crucial items to include in your first aid kit.

Antiseptic Wipes and Ointments

Hygiene is a powerful weapon against wound infections; this is where germicidal supplies come in. The antiseptic wipes, for instance, come with a disinfecting or sanitizing formula that reduces or kills germs on the skin. It keeps the injuries clean, which significantly minimizes the chances of complications.

On the other hand, antibiotic ointments, such as Mupirocin, Fusidic acid, and Gentamicin, can complement the wipes in keeping germs at bay. Applying small quantities of these substances on already-cleaned wounds adds an extra layer of protection. When buying over the counter antiseptics and ointments products online, settle for dependable stores. Concentrate on the quality standards of the supplies to enjoy the therapeutic benefits. You should also find an extensive collection for efficient comparison and decision-making.

Pain Relievers

Pain management must be a top priority when dealing with injuries and illnesses. Pack ibuprofen and acetaminophen to help deal with aches, pain, and physical discomfort. For instance, when you experience a sudden muscle sprain or joint issues, they’ll provide an effective and quick solution as you await treatment. Sticking to the recommended dosage guidelines is essential to enjoy the benefits and avoid side effects. Remember to keep them in the right conditions to preserve their efficacy.

Adhesive Bandages and Sterile Gauze

The small but valuable strips known as band-aids are handy when dealing with minor injuries. They help cover the scrapes, blisters, and cuts, shielding off bacteria and dirt. This prevents any acceleration of the damages through infections. When doing the assembly, ensure that you include bandages of different sizes to handle different classes of wounds.

Sterilized gauze pads are necessary for more extensive lacerations. Their ability to quickly absorb blood and fluids ensures the wound is kept clean and dry. What makes them unique is the different applications they have in wound care. You can use them in packing, debriding, dressing, and prepping open wounds.

Emergency Contact Information

In times of emergencies, information is a powerful tool in ensuring accurate interventions. List pertinent medical details such as blood group, existing conditions, and allergies. Add a card with contact information for the close family members or guardians. On top of such details, come up with a first aid manual. It will be invaluable in keeping you organized and composed during high-stress situations. This is necessary even when you’ve gone through first aid training.

Tweezers

These precision instruments are versatile and allow easy handling of delicate tasks. Most designs are made of stainless steel, making them easy to clean and rust-free. They feature pointed, fine tips that allow seamless removal of objects like splinters or foreign bodies from the skin. The ergonomic and balanced designs help provide a steady grip.

A first aid kit offers unmatched assistance in cases of medical emergencies. It avails the required supplies to keep things in control before seeking the main medical assistance. For the kit to be instrumental, it needs to be fully resourced. Think of all the potential issues people face in creating the medical toolkit effectively.

Guest Post - What To Keep In Your Pantry For Emergencies

As welcome as new seasons are, they typically bring new risks for disaster — and it pays to be prepared! Whether you’re on the other side of a bitter winter or getting geared up for hurricanes in the South, you’ll never regret stocking your pantry for a crisis. Should you find yourself amidst a severe storm, lengthy power outage, or other unexpected tragedy, you and your household won’t have to panic, knowing you’re prepped and ready.

As you’re stocking your shelves this time of year, make sure you include the following:

• Water: It doesn’t get much more essential than water, which is exactly why you want to keep at least several days’ worth of it on hand at your home. This includes both drinking water (one gallon per person per day) and clean water for brushing teeth and washing up in the case of a water outage. In fact, for the best preparation, stock a full two weeks’ worth. 

• Dry Goods: Any good emergency stash includes plenty of dry goods that can be used and eaten without refrigeration or cooking. Think canned items (as well as a manual can opener), dry mixes, protein bars, nut butters, dried fruit, juices/liquids, and other nonperishable staples — but only those you will actually eat. In fact, throw in some fun foods, too. In a crisis, you’ll be glad to have a little comfort available. As for how much food to store up, aim to stock at least enough to feed your household for a few days or up to two weeks’ worth. 

• Prescription Medication: If anyone in your home is on important medication, you will be glad you have some of it stocked in an emergency. The same goes for glasses or contact lenses, a full first aid kit, and/or any other necessary medical supplies.

• Baby Necessities: Households with infants should keep an extra stash of diapers and formula, if needed, in order to care for little ones in a crisis situation.

• Pet Supplies: Don’t forget the furry friends in your home. If you find yourself stranded at home in an emergency, you’ll know how important it is to have extra pet food, water, and other must-haves on hand.

• Flashlight and Batteries: When the power goes out at night, a working flashlight is a must. Stock extra batteries nearby, too, as well as candles and matches.

• Camp Stove: Another tool to consider keeping on hand is a camp stove, which will allow you to boil water or heat meals even when the power is out.

• Solar Charger: Fueled by the power of the sun, a solar charger for your electrical devices can be a good investment. It makes it possible to stay connected to people outside your home in a disaster, as well as to access the internet for information or entertainment. 

• Whole Home Generator: Nothing provides peace of mind quite like a whole home generator, which can ensure your lights, HVAC, and internet, for example, keep running even when the power’s out. Likewise, if someone in your home relies on electrical equipment, such as a breathing machine or dialysis equipment, having backup power is a necessity. 

When it comes to disasters, the best time to prepare is now, before one strikes. You can decide how much to stock, but knowing you’re ready for the unexpected can provide incredible comfort and security. Whether you keep enough supplies on hand to see you through a few days or weeks of an emergency, get in the habit of culling your stash twice a year or so. Date everything as you’re stocking it, so when you organize, you can easily pull out the goods with the oldest dates, rotating them for newer, more long-lasting replacements. With a good, regularly refreshed emergency stock on hand, you can feel confident that you’re ready for whatever the new season may bring.

 Author bio: Joel Scott Bennett is Director of Marketing at Canter Power Systems, a leading residential generator installer. Bennett is trained as an industrial designer, empathetic and personable, he leads the creation of business opportunities through the fast-changing energy sector.

5 Numbers To Save for Minor Emergencies

Public education, safety awareness, and modern technology all add up to making daily life pretty safe for most people. However, despite all the comforts and conveniences of contemporary society, accidents and mistakes can still disrupt your plans on any given day. Get back into the swing of things quickly by knowing five numbers to save for minor emergencies.

Plumber

If you have an actively burst pipe flooding your home with water, that might not feel like a minor emergency. It certainly is an urgent one, however. Make sure you have a plumber picked out in advance so you don't have to do comparison quotes and shop around while water is splashing everywhere. Also, know how to discern when you need 24/7 service or when it's okay to cut the water off and wait until morning to get someone out there.

Locksmith

Whether you lock yourself out of your house or your car, a locksmith is who can let you back inside your home or vehicle. They can also change locks or make you extra keys when you need them or for others in your life.

HVAC

Air conditioning repair can take high priority if the temperatures outside are very high. In humid climates, this is even more important. Children, pets, seniors, and the very frail might not withstand summer weather very long without the respite that air conditioning can provide.

Roofer

If you own your own home, maintenance and upkeep are your responsibilities. However, you can delegate those responsibilities to the right contractors. Getting a roofer out as soon as it is safe means you can have someone minimize known damage before it turns into something far more substantial.

Poison Control

Serious cases of ingesting poison warrant either an ambulance or a trip to an emergency room or urgent care. However, what if you don't know how serious it is? Most communities have a poison control center that can help you determine the severity of an incident and possibly how to deal with it over the phone.

Serious problems and major emergencies might require an ambulance, firemen, or the police. For those, you'd need to call 911. However, not all emergencies are appropriate for that number. Know who the right people are to call in advance, and keep their numbers readily available to you at all times. Having them on your phone will save precious minutes when something comes up.

How to Manage the 4 Most Common Household Emergencies

Dealing with emergency situations of any kind can be quite stressful; however, nothing beats the sheer panic one feels when something goes wrong in their home and they don’t know what to do. Fortunately, this article is here to help you adequately respond to common emergency situations such as power outages or cracked pipes. Also, read on to find out how to deal with getting locked out and how to quickly fix broken windows.

Power failures

Most power outages are caused by harsh weather, meaning there’s not much you can do to avoid it. However, sometimes power outages will be announced by the local government, so the best thing you can do is to be prepared and ready to act. Prepare for emergencies by stocking up on essentials like torches and batteries, as well as gas-powered cooking equipment and a radio. If you live in an area where blackouts are quite common, think about investing in a generator since it’ll make your life easier in the long run. Be sure to have enough bottled water on hand just in case your local water treatment facility is affected during the outage. For prolonged periods of a power outage, make sure to have a variety of board games to keep you and your family entertained at these tough times.

Burst pipes

One of the scariest situations to deal with is definitely burst pipes. Water can cause a lot of damage to your property and belongings, so it’s crucial to act fast. The main water valve in your house, which is usually located near your boiler, regulates the flow of water. This valve must be shut off immediately in the case of a leak in order to avoid expensive water damage. Once you’ve done everything in your power, you should contact your local plumber. If you live in the Eastern Sydney area, a plumber from Eastern Suburbs will help you with all kinds of plumbing emergencies at all times. Having a reliable plumber on speed dial is the best solution to any kind of piping issues around the house.

Getting locked out

Forgetting or misplacing your keys is probably one of the most annoying emergencies because it’s very preventable. For instance, being prepared by keeping an extra key in a safe place will help you avoid being locked out. There are many locations where you may keep a spare key, such as with a trusted family member, in an electrical panel with a combination lock, or in your work or school bag. However, in order to stay safe, you should always make sure to have the key in a secure spot. There are a few places you should avoid keeping a spare key which are your doormat, a faux rock, or the window sill.

Broken windows

Your kids may have gone overboard when playing with their ball or your cat may have gotten the extra case of the zoomies and in a blink of an eye, your window is now broken. First, you need to check the damage but don’t forget to wear thick gloves so as not to cut yourself. Carefully collect and remove any glass shards. Once only the window frame is left, take a garbage bag and tape it to the frame as a temporary solution. For the best insulation, use multiple bags layered on top of each other. Now that you’ve ensured you’re not going to freeze from the lack of windows, you may want to consider hiring a professional to adequately deal with the damage.

Home emergencies can be very scary to deal with but if you keep a calm demeanor and act quickly, every situation is easily manageable. Getting a quick fix for any issue is easy if you’re even a tiny bit handy but if you want the best long-term results, it’s better to call the professionals.