Almost every home is equipped with some sort of first aid kit, especially if you have children or if you tend to be accident prone, like myself. The problem, however, is that first aid kits don’t come with instructions on how to deal with particular incidents which results in people incorrectly treating injuries. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a reference of what to do, and what not to do when someone’s health is at risk? Well take heed, because you are in luck. The following is a list of the proper actions a person should take when faced with some of the most popular injuries that occur at home:

1.) A Knocked-out Tooth: Don’t freak out and begin to scrub the tooth if it has gotten dirty. A gentle rub will do just as well. Do put the tooth into some milk and go straight to the emergency room, as there is still a chance the tooth can be re-implanted.

2.) Burns: Don’t apply any type of grease, ice or butter to the burn and don’t try to cover the burn with a towel as the fibers may get stuck to the skin. Do wash and apply an antibiotic cream to mild burns. It’s important to go to the hospital if you’ve burned a large area of skin or a burn that is blistering and then produces a fever, or if you’ve burned your eyes, mouth or genitals even if the burn appears to be mild.

3.) Sprained Ankle: Don’t use a heating pad for a sprained ankle. Do treat the problem with ice and elevate your leg.

4.) Nose Bleed: Don’t lean back and absolutely don’t blow your nose or bend over if you feel the bleeding has stopped. Do sit upright, facing forward and pinch your nose steadily for 5 to 10 minutes. If the bleeding hasn’t stopped after 15 minutes head to the emergency room to seek further treatment.

5.) Bleeding: Don’t use a tourniquet as this could cause serious tissue damage. Do apply steady pressure to the wounded area with a clean towel and try and keep the victim warm to avoid shock. If applying pressure does not stop the bleeding be sure to get yourself to a hospital as soon as possible.

6.) Poison Ingestion: Don’t take it upon yourself to vomit the substance back up. Do call poison control immediately and bring the ingested substance with you to the ER.

7.) Falling down the stairs: Don’t immediately get up and move around after falling down the stairs. Do call 911 and wait for an emergency professional to determine that you haven’t broken any bones or damaged any crucial nerves before moving.

8.) Choking: Don’t panic. Do determine if the person choking can speak. If not, place your arms around the victim’s waist and perform the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the food item from their throat.

Although not all injuries can be cured with a first aid kit, it is crucial that individuals understand how to properly treat an injury. After all, families are a precious gift and their health should be of the utmost importance.

For more information about individual health insurance in North Carolina, contact IBD Insurance today!

Tags: Health, Health News //