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1. Accidents and medical emergencies in the home happen frequently. Maybe more frequently than we realize.

Statistics show a fatal injury occurs every 18 minutes in homes across America and every 4 seconds a disabling injury could occur. Accidents occur from falls, fire, burns, choking and poisoning.

2. Every home should have at least one first Aid Kit that is well stocked and readily available.

First Aid Kits are used most often for minor injuries such as cuts, sunburns or bites. Having a well stocked First Aid Kit available can save someone’s life in a serious accident.

3. A First Aid Kit won’t be any good to you if you don’t know how to use it.

Make sure you have a guide in your kit from a reliable source. It should have the latest medical advice and be easy to understand, particularly under stress.

4. There are 5 categories that are imperative in your First Aid Kit

5. Instruments

Pointed tweezers for removing splinters
Disposable latex or non latex gloves
Small rounded-tipped scissors for cutting tape, clothes or bandages
Breathing Barrier for performing CPR
Thermometer-either digital or mercury
Ice Bag
Eye Patches
Oral medicine syringe
Bandages that are good quality. A variety of all sizes to dress a variety of wounds
One dozen individually wrapped sterile gauze pads 2″ X 2″
Six non-stick gauze bandages
Six individually wrapped sterile gauze pads 4″ X 4″
One roll 2″ gauze bandage
One roll 5″ gauze bandage
Elastic bandages
Triangular Bandages
Adhesive Tape
6. Antiseptics

Antiseptics such as Hydrogen Peroxide to kill germs.
Antibacterial cream or ointment . This is good for cuts ,scrapes and insect bites.
7. Medicines

Over the counter medicines such as antihistamine
cough suppressant
aspirin
syrup of ipecac in case someone ingests poison. This should only be used after calling the Poison Control Center first.

8. Keeping your First Aid Kit Updated

Your First Aid Kit should be checked once a year, possibly the same day you check your smoke detectors, to be sure it is fully stocked and nothing has expired. Make sure you always make a note of anything you use out of your Kit so it can easily be replaced.

9. Storing your First Aid Kit

Make sure you store your First Aid Kit in a tote bag or plastic container that will keep your kit clean and dry and easily accessible in your home. It is recommended to have one on each floor in your home and workshop. Make sure everyone in your home knows where they are and how to use it. It could save your families life.

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Do you have an active family? Are your kids involved in soccer or little league? What sports are high on your priority list – running, golf, tennis?

American Sports Data, Inc. estimates:

- 50.6 million people over the age of 6 exercise frequently, participating in single activities (running, cycling, treadmill)

- 39.9 million participate in recreational sports (basketball, tennis, softball)

- 15.3 million people are active outdoors (hiking, mountain biking, skiing)

- 3.2 million players are registered with the U.S. Youth Soccer Association

If you pound the pavement, swing the club, or bat the ball, there is always the chance for injury. Is your family prepared with a sports first aid kit that meets your needs? Many commercially packaged first aid kits contain basic supplies. Sure, they might offer limited help for simple emergencies. But is your first aid kit prepared to handle your child’s rugby injuries or treat a sprained ankle on the soccer field? How about your knee pain after a marathon?

The answer is to create your own customized kit that fits your family’s sports first aid needs. Chances are you already have many of the necessary supplies on hand. Here’s how you get started.

1. Evaluate your needs by the type of sports your family participates in. Is there the likelihood of bumps, cuts, and bruising that might occur in contact team sports? Or are overuse injuries more prevalent such as runner’s knee, golfer’s tendonitis, or tennis elbow?

2. Decide what supplies best fit the type of injuries you have described, such as bandages and ointment for cuts; ice pack for pain and swelling; sunscreen for sun burn.

3. Find a roomy, insulated tote to carry your supplies. Why an insulated carrier rather than one of those little, plastic boxes that most first aid kits come in? Because you need to carry at least one, preferably two frozen, reusable ice packs in your sports first aid kit. Most kits only contain an instant, one-time-use, chemical ice pack. This is usually not sufficient to numb pain or reduce swelling. The best and most effective treatment for many injuries is to immediately apply a frozen ice pack for several 15 to 20 minute sessions. This will help lessen pain, reduce swelling and treat bruising. And an insulated tote will keep your ice packs cold for several hours.

Here is a list of suggested supplies to include in your family’s sports first aid kit:

Information: First aid guide or manual

General: Matches, Scissors, Travel Toilet Paper, Anti-diarrheal, Antiseptic wipes, Tweezers, Needle (for splinters), Thermometer, Safety pins, Flashlight, Disposable gloves, Mouthpiece (in case of using CPR), Blanket, Plastic Zip-lock bags (to keep supplies dry), Tissues

Emergencies: Cell phone, Whistle, Personal alarm, Pepper spray, Emergency phone numbers, Maps (with directions to nearest first aid)

Pain and Swelling: Cold pack, Ibuprofen

For cuts, scrapes, blisters: Bandages of different sizes, Antibiotic cream or hydrocortisone cream, Mole skin dressing kit, Sterile gauze, Adhesive tape, Antiseptic solution, Non-stick gauze pads

Sun protection/heat exhaustion: Misting water bottle, Cold pack, Sunscreen, Lip balm, Aloe Vera lotion

Fractures, strains, sprains, pulled muscles: Neoprene joint braces, Compression bandage/ice wrap, Cold pack, Two triangle shaped pieces of cloth for a sling or tourniquet

Dehydration: Filled water bottle, Sports drink

Allergic Reactions: Calamine lotion, Epinephrine (for bee stings), Antihistamine, Recommended medications

Insect Bites: Epinephrine (for bee stings), Insect repellent, Cold pack (reduces swelling of bug bites)

Assemble your supplies and customize your family sports first aid kit for each event or outing.

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We cannot help but accept the fact that children do get into trouble and sometimes emergencies when they are left in childcare programs. We just have to pray that most injuries sustained are minor such as cuts, scrapes, bruises, among others.

But when serious injuries and emergencies do happen, caregivers and childcare program administrators should have the proper and basic planning and first aid needed in times such as these.

A safer and well maintained establishment and facility. As most injuries and emergencies may be prevented, it is a must that a childcare program should be able to create and maintain safer play areas, establish safety rules, and properly supervise the children. Administrators and caregivers should be able to cope with minor injuries, as well as less common but serious emergencies which sometimes involve the head, broken bones, knocked-out teeth, poisoning, burns, choking, etc. Preparing for these kinds of emergencies will help caregivers to respond appropriately and make the children stay calm and even provide aid in the care of the injured child.

Basic First Aid and available emergency help should be at hand. One of the first steps to take during times of potentially serious injuries and emergencies would be to call for emergency help. If you are located in the urban areas, it is easy to get emergency help. Qualified emergency personnel can arrive in just a matter of minutes in your location. But not so in rural areas. Hence, it is important for caregivers to have training on life-threatening emergencies. A childcare facility should at least have one trained caregiver available to provide intensive first aid while waiting for help to arrive.

For minor injuries, basic first aid and a dose of tender care would suffice while waiting for a parent or guardian to arrive.

A well-stocked, accessible first aid kit should be provided. The following are some of the appropriate medical supplies that a basic first aid kit should have, as advised by an emergency personnel:

• Disposable non-porous, latex-free gloves for hand protection from blood and body fluids;

• Tweezers for removing splinters;

• Adhesive bandages;

• Scissors for cutting tapes and dressings;

• Bandage tape for gauze pads;

• Sterile gauze pads for cleaning and covering wounds;

• Flexible rolled gauze to hold a gauze pad in place;

• Eye dressings;

• Inset sting preparation; and

• Thermometer.

For other non medical supply materials, a first aid kit is also best to have a pencil or pen and notepad for writing down information and instructions; coins to use in a pay phone during a field trip; emergency telephone numbers such as the poison control center, paramedics, etc.; first aid guides; plastic zipper bags; and plastic trash bags for disposal of contaminated supplies.

In every situation, the best rule of thumb is to always be prepared. As the adage would say, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

Granny’s Mettle is a 30-something, professional web content writer. She has created various web content on a diverse range of topics, which includes digital printing topics, medical news, as well as legal issues. Her articles are composed of reviews, suggestions, tips and more for the printing and designing industry.

Her thoughts on writing: “Writing gives me pleasure… pleasure and excitement that you have created something to share with others. And with the wide world of the Internet, it gives me great satisfaction that my articles reach more people in the quickest time you could imagine.”

On her spare time, she loves to stay at home, reading books on just about any topic she fancies, cooking a great meal, and taking care of her husband and kids.

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Unfortunately, accidents can - and DO happen, so it’s always a good idea to be prepared! While accidents usually produce obvious injuries, illnesses are often kept well hidden by birds. In nature, if you’re sick you pose a threat in making your whole flock vulnerable to predators, so parrots have become adept at masking signs of illness. This is one reason that it’s vital to have a “well bird” check-up annually. Needless to day, once a bird is showing obvious signs of illness, he’s often very sick and needs immediate vet attention. First Aid is intended to help you get by until you can see the vet, or in treating minor injuries.

It’s helpful to have a “hospital cage” for emergencies - a smaller, easily portable cage where you can isolate a sick or injured bird and easily move him to a warm, quiet, area of your home. It’s advisable to have a quarantine area as well - for new birds coming into the home, as well as sick birds recovering from an infection. This area should be well separated from the rest of your birds to prevent air-borne transmission of germs, as well as those spread by direct contact.

Some of the signs of possible illness include: more time on cage floor, talking and playing less, fluffed feathers, lack of appetite, drinking more water, personality changes (such as becoming bitey or not wanting to come out of the cage), tail bobbing, puffy eyes, sleeping on both feet with head tucked, droopy wings, sneezing or coughing, “clicking” in chest, vomiting, diarrhea, soiled vent, etc. I won’t go into specific diseases here, but hopefully you get the general idea - if things are “different,” get to the vet! Other problems include broken blood feathers or egg binding.

It’s a good idea to put together a first aid kit (Your Parrot Place has a nice one for sale!) Include:

· Eye and skin wash

· Styptic powder

· Corn starch

· Antiseptic wipes

· Cotton Swabs and balls

· Eye dropper

· Assorted bandages - gauze, adhesive, vet wrap

· Scissors

· Latex Gloves

· Forceps or hemostats

· Betadine or iodine swabs

· Adhesive tape

· Penlight

· Heating pad and/or lamp

· Hydrogen peroxide

· Pedialyte (Electrolyte solution for babies)

· Hand feeding formula and syringes

· Phone number for vets and poison control

Generally, with any illness or injury, remove the bird to a hospital cage and put him in a warm, quiet, dimly lit room (bathrooms can work). Provide fresh water (and Pedialyte if needed). Feed favorite foods (healthier things you know he’ll eat) plus warm foods like cooked rice or oatmeal. IN addition, spray millet is often enjoyed by smaller birds. If he’s not eating well on his own, offer some warm food with your fingers or a spoon. If need be, you may have to mix up hand feeding formula and give by cup or syringe. If you’ve kept your bird in the habit of eating from a spoon or cup, this will be easier. DO NOT use over the counter remedies from pet stores. It’s too much of a guessing game. I know a Pionus who became psychotic after being given an OTC bird “remedy” and would not stop thrashing around her cage. A little chamomile tea can help the bird relax and ginger tea is good for digestive upsets. If you’re familiar with herbal remedies, you can safely use those without causing harm to your bird. NEVER give antibiotics without knowing your bird actually has a BACTERIAL infection (and which bacteria!)

Broken blood feathers (or those accidentally clipped) can be hard to stop bleeding. Do not use styptic powder on skin or soft tissue - only on bleeding nails. Otherwise, use corn starch as a coagulant. If the blood feather (immature feather with live blood supply) won’t stop bleeding, it has to be pulled or the bird can bleed to death.

A note on egg binding: If a hen is on the cage bottom, fluffed up and straining, she may be “egg bound”. Put her in a warm, humid place (like the bathroom). You can rub some vegetable oil around her vent. Egg bound hens can die fairly quickly, though, and if the egg does not pass within several hours, she needs to get to the vet immediately (a good diet with extra calcium will help prevent this.)

So get in the habit of inspecting your birds on a daily basis, and being alert for signs of distress. Read up on diseases and gain a basic knowledge of illness in birds. “Bird proof” your home, avoid toxic fumes and unsafe toys. Have a first aid kit and hospital cage available. No what’s “normal” for your bird and act quickly if things don’t seem right. Find a good AVIAN vet and see them annually. Be sure your house and your bird’s cage and play areas are as safe as possible. Feed the best diet you can to ensure your birds best possible health. Wouldn’t it be nice if your first aid kit never gets used?!

The First Aid kit available at Your Parrot Place (under accessories) contains most of the essentials such as: Styptic Powder, Latex Gloves, Eye Skin Wash, 1″x6 yd Sterile Bandage, Scissors, Locking Forceps, Iodine Swabs, Antiseptic Towelettes, 2″x2″ Gauze Pads, Cotton Swabs, Adhesive Tape, Hand Wipe, Emergency Info Card, Directions, and Case. Perishables, like hand feeding formula, should be stored in the freezer and replaced every six months.

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Creating the perfectly stocked first aid kit may be too inexpensive, or the effort of traveling to different stores to buy the supplies too time consuming. To save money and time, consider buying a first aid kit online and then adding the additional, personal supplies needed. Several discount first aid kits or kit supplies are available online for sale. A simple search for “discount first aid kit” or “cheap first aid kit” should produce several retailers.

Consider buying supplies in bulk for a cheaper price. Be wary, however, to buy medications that expire. The savings from buying in bulk may not be worth the cost of wasted medicine. Buy bulk supplies with a friend or neighbor to avoid the waste and split the cost.

Online wholesalers offer discounted first aid kits for families, cars, sports, industry, or pets. Some wholesalers provide a free first aid kit to costumers who spend enough money on the wholesalers other products. Check about supplies at companies who sell to medical personnel to avoid retail costs.

Home supplies can help assemble a cheap first aid kit, too. Instead of buying moistened wipes, periodically prepare a weak solution of mild soap and water and use with paper towels to clean hands before applying first aid. Instead of buying brand name bandages of various sizes, buy bulk rolls of stripe bandages and cut to cover any wound size. For a home first aid kit, store a washcloth to hold ice in an emergency, rather than buying an instant, disposable cooling pack.

Using natural alternatives can ease the costs of stocking a first aid kit with medicine. Eat bananas for constipation or diarrhea, mix a gallon of water with four teaspoons of sugar and one-half teaspoon of salt and drink as much as possible to prevent dehydration, ease a bruise with a bag of frozen peas, or rub vinegar on an insect bite for cheap first aid relief.

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“To truly be prepared, you need a well-stocked, easy-to-reach first aid kit for the home, car, and when you vacation. First aid kits contain all the tools needed in any emergency. The kit may be used for a minor scrape on the knee or, more seriously, for a car accident before the paramedics arrive. Having all the tools gathered ahead of time will help you handle any emergency.

First aid kits may either be bought or made at home. You can buy a first aid kit online, from a drug store, or your American Red Cross chapter may sell them. Prices range from around $10 for a basic kit to $200 for a professional kit. You can also buy kits designed for either the home, the car, the office, or the outdoors. These kits typically cost under $50. Don’t be afraid to personalize the store-bought first aid kit with your prescriptions, extra bandages, emergency contact sheets, or anything else you might need.

If you choose to make your own kit, buy a portable, lightweight and waterproof container to store the supplies. Plastic tubs, plastic tackle boxes, or art supply boxes all make excellent kits. It may be helpful to purchase all your supplies first, and then look for the container to keep and organize them.

When selecting any kit, think of situations that could cause injury. Injuries are caused by medical conditions, the environment, or trauma. Think of who will be using the kit: adults, children, animals? For a kit outside the home, would you need food in an emergency? What about jumper cables or oil in the car? Ask yourself these questions to help design your ideal kit.

Always remember to update your first aid kit. Check to make it is well stocked, the medicines have not expired, and you have the most recent prescriptions and contact information.

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Instead of trying to pack another pair of shoes in your suitcase, add a small travel first aid kit. Be prepared for an emergency on the road, in the air, or anywhere on vacation. Use an old lunchbox to easily transport the travel first aid kit wherever you go.

Like first aid kits for the home, stock your first aid kit with the basics such as: bandages of various sizes, a thermometer, tweezers and scissors, gauze pads, adhesive tape, and allergy medicine.

But since you will be traveling away from your home medicine cabinet, you should also include: Dramamine, anti-diarrhea medicine, antacid, cough medicine, tissues, adult and children’s aspirin, copies of prescriptions, antibacterial hand cleaner, antiseptic ointment, and moleskin for blisters.

If you will be spending time outside, fill your travel first aid kit with insect repellent, insect bite ointment, sun block, and lotion to soothe sunburns.

You can purchase supplies for your travel first aid kit at drug stores, or buy a prearranged kit online. Many travel first aid kits cost under $10. Don’t be afraid to personalize purchased travel first aid kits with any additional supplies like you or you family might need. For example, include a plastic bag with a mild solution of soap and water, along with paper towels for a quick and inexpensive way to wash sticky hands.

If you are traveling with your pet, don’t forget to pack some extras just for your pet like animal anti-diarrhea and upset stomach medicine. Talk to your pet’s veterinarian about what you should pack, especially if you are traveling to a different environment. Kits are available online for about $15.

By packing these extra supplies, you will not only avoid the inflated costs of hotel medicines, you will be prepared at the first signs of discomfort.

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Responsible employers and managers must never overlook the need for an office or industrial first aid kit. The federal government mandates that every workplace be equipped with easily accessible first aid kits and that employees should be taught first aid. Proper preparation can prevent unnecessary injury, lose of productivity, or even law suits when a workplace emergency occurs.

An employer must first provide the proper number of commercial first aid kits for its workers. Many kits are available for sale online by industrial first aid kit suppliers. Kits designed for ten workers cost about $15 and kits designed for fifty workers cost about $80. Also available are kits for an entire small office, vehicles, or work sites.

Kits should be stored in a portable, durable, watertight container. Attach the kit to the wall so that it is easily seen and reached in an emergency. Include a list of kit’s contents to ensure it is always fully stocked. Show each worker where the kit is located and what tools it contains. Educate each worker about possible work related injuries and which ones will require immediate medical attention from professionals.

The American Red Cross sells industrial first aid kits that meet or exceed the United State’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s requirements. Several types of kits are available. The Personal Protection Kit contains gloves, gowns, and masks to protect workers from biohazards like blood and bodily fluids. It costs about $15. The Spill Clean Up Kit contains wipes and scoops to contain a small biohazard spill. It costs about $10. The American Red Cross also sells industrial first aid kits for 25 or 50 workers that are both under $30.

When assembling any industrial first aid kit, always include: disposable gloves, bandages of various sizes, gauze, adhesive tape, scissors and tweezers, and antiseptic ointment.

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Whether played by children or adults, sports present a unique opportunity for injury. Be ready for common bumps and bruises—or immediate treatment of a serious injury—of any sport with a well stocked and easily accessible sports first aid kit.

Like any first aid kit, always include disposable gloves, flexible bandages of various sizes, gauze pads, first aid tape, antiseptic ointment, scissors and tweezers. But for a sports first aid kit, be certain to include soft gauze bandages, a two-inch wide bandage for serious cuts, instant cold pack, and painkillers.

Remember that this kit will be used away from home and water might not be available. Try to find wipes and painkillers that do not need water. For example, stores now carry painkillers that dissolve without water.

Sport first aid kits can either be assembled from supplies at drug or purchased online. However, prepackaged first aid kits may not contain all the essentials for the sport it will be used. Swimming injuries can be different from rugby injuries. Think of including joint braces, sunblock, lip balm with sun block, insect repellent, Aloe Vera lotion for sunburn, a misting bottle for hot days, or a sports drink for dehydration. If the sport is high contact, packing several ice packs in an insulated container.

Also keep a list of the kit’s contents to ensure that it is always well stocked with its essentials. Bring a cell phone, too, in case an ambulance must be called.

In sports, the body takes a beating and so might the first aid kit. Store the sports first aid supplies in a durable, watertight, and portable container. Insulated lunch boxes, Tupperware containers, or plastic tackle boxes all make perfect sports first aid kit containers to guarantee it can be used for any injury, rain or shine.

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Your vacation supplies must include a first-aid kit.

Have it available while traveling and take it with you whenever you go walking, hiking, or any activity that takes you away from civilization.

You can use just about any type of container for your first-aid kit. It’s best if the container is lightweight, like plastic, and has a good lid. A handle can be useful also. A small toolbox, lunchbox, fishing tackle box or even kitchen Tupperware would work.

Here is a list of things to consider including in your vacation first-aid kit. This is not a comprehensive list and you may have other items to add.

You should have some sterile gauze with adhesive tape and scissors to cut them. Make sure the scissors are sharp. Also multiple sizes of band-aids. Tip: Sanitary napkins are sterile and make good compresses to stop bleeding.

To clean cuts and wounds include antibiotic cream, hydrogen peroxide and antiseptic wipes.

Consider including aspirin and acetaminophen, instant cold packs, calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream.

Also, antacid, insect repellent, motion sickness medication, anti-diarrhea medication, sunscreen, cold and flu tablets

If anyone is taking prescription medicine be sure to bring enough for the whole trip.

The first-aid kit is a good place to store a list of emergency numbers along with your medical insurance information.

It’s always a good idea to have a first-aid manual on hand and review it before you leave. This way you will be much more prepared should a situation arise where you need it. This is a great opportunity for children to learn a little about first-aid so review the manual with them too.

Other miscellaneous items that could be helpful are thermometer, latex gloves, tweezers and flashlight with spare batteries.

Keep your vacation first-aid kit easily accessible at all times but away from small children.

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