Essential First Aid Kit for the Holiday Season: With the holiday season just around the corner, we want to focus on the importance of preparation during the busy, festive season.
With all the excitement about upcoming events and festivities, it can be easy to forget about risks and hazards that only wait for one little careless move for them to happen. For this reason, having the essential first aid supplies in place are important to keep yourself and your loved ones safe this holiday period.
Common Holiday Accidents And Injuries
The holiday season in Australia is all about spending time with families and friends. However, along with this festive period comes the increased risk of unfortunate events.
Some of the most common holiday accidents and injuries during the holiday include:
- Cooking injuries (spilling hot liquids, getting cuts)
- Electric shock from poorly wired Christmas lights and decorations
- Falling from ladder
- Allergic reaction
- Choking
- Indigestion and food poisoning
Thousands of people need hospital treatment for minor injuries during holidays, many of which come from household risks and hazards that are overlooked.
As emergency services may be delayed during this busy period, we put together these essential first aid kits for the holiday season guide to help you treat injuries at home.
First Aid Kit Items That You Should Have
Before stocking up on all essential items, one of the most important things to have is a trusty storage bag to put all your first aid kit items. Having one allows you to put everything you need in one place.
The perfect storage for your supplies should be big enough to accommodate all items but compact enough to carry and be placed somewhere safe. Once it is settled, it is time to put together your first aid kit.
Below are three essential items to have in your first aid kit this holiday season.
Basic First Aid Supplies
Regardless of the season and holiday, you need to ensure that your first aid kit is stocked up at all times.
Some of the basic supplies to put in your first aid kit include:
- Bandage needs: adhesive tape, triangular bandage, elastic bandages, bandage strips, butterfly bandages, plasters in assorted shapes and sizes, gauze pads and rolls
- Creams: burn cream, skin rash cream
- Wound cleansers: distilled water, antiseptic solution and antiseptic cream, antiseptic wipes
- Personal protective equipment (PPE): hand sanitiser, surgical mask, N95 mask, face shield
- Tools: scissors, tweezers, safety pins, gloves, thermometer, emergency blanket, flashlight, extra batteries, first aid manual
Medicines
People often need medication over Christmas and New Year as they start suffering symptoms from minor injuries. For people taking prescribed medications, it is important to take them on a regular basis to avoid complications.
Some of the common medicines to include in your kit include:
- Antihistamine tablets (for allergies)
- Cough and cold medications
- Anti-diarrhea medication
- Pain relievers
- Personal medication that doesn’t need to be refrigerated
- Aspirin
Emergency Details
In the event of an emergency, it is always a good practice to have a list of emergency details in a first aid kit.
- Contact numbers of emergency services and nearby healthcare facilities
- Contact numbers of family members, close friends
- Doctor’s contact information
- Other important IDs and identification
First Aid Kits Are Not Just For Holidays
A first aid kit – regardless if it is small, medium, or large – will help you prepare for accidents and injuries all year round. Therefore, it is important to maintain the contents of your kit by replenishing your supplies every now and then.
A first aid kit should be fully-stocked and contain everything you need to address common injuries such as cuts, scrapes, and other types of wounds. The kit should also feature medications you may need at different times of the year.
Once you put everything in place, store your first aid kit in an easily accessible place. This will make it easier for you to access items you need in case of an emergency. As recommended, it is best to store a first aid kit both in your home and in the car.
Put a reminder on your calendar to regularly check the items to make sure it does not contain any expired items. Replenish it whenever a certain item is used or past the expiration date.
When faced with an emergency, try your best to remain calm and not panic. Grab your kit and treat wounds or injuries with first aid procedures.
In major cases, it is best to call emergency services (triple zero – 000) and carefully listen to the instructions from the dispatcher. Stay safe by being prepared, and pack your first aid kits.
Learn First Aid
The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, when families gather, spend quality time together, and share lovely moments with their loved ones.
As 2022 wraps up, we can only look forward to a brighter and safer new year by putting enough measures in place in your home and everywhere. These include having a well-stocked first aid kit that contains all necessary supplies to address various emergencies.
The best way to be prepared is to have basic knowledge of how to use its content and enrol in an updated first aid training for at least one member of each household.
As a matter of fact, first aid can drastically improve the chances of survival and prevent deterioration, even in high-risk emergencies. In minor injuries, it can reduce the spread of infection, promote faster healing, and save lives.
Book a course today with the First Aid Courses Canberra and save lives tomorrow!
