Preparing for an emergency
Most childhood injuries can be prevented with careful attention to a child’s environment, parental supervision and knowledge of appropriate first aid.
According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, every emergency can be handled by remembering four things: prevent, prepare, recognize, act. Quick action can save a life, since the initial minutes after an injury or medical crisis are frequently the most critical.
How can I prepare for an emergency?
*Keep a list of emergency numbers by the phone. The police, fire department, poison control center, hospital, ambulance service and your family doctor’s office should be included.
* Keep a list of all the medications you and your family take and their dosages. In an emergency, you might not be able to speak for yourself, so carry it with you. The list could help prevent serious drug interactions.
* Make a list of allergies, particularly drug allergies or those with severe reactions.
*Keep a well-stocked first-aid kit at home, at work and in your car. A good first-aid kit helps you handle everything from blisters to severe cuts.
*Take a first-aid class. A basic class will teach cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and proper methods for treating burns, wrapping sprains, applying splints and performing the Heimlich maneuver.