Home Safety First Aid Tips

Having the necessary items to handle accidents that occur in your home can help prevent an injury from worsening. First aid can also provide temporary treatment until you can assess the extent of your injury. If however, you sustain an injury that you cannot remedy with first aid, seek immediate medical attention.

First Aid Essentials

• Cotton balls can help with wound care.

  Cotton balls can help clean wounds by removing blood or debris. They can also apply ointments or antiseptics to a wound. Sterile saline solution can help to clean wounds and cuts, and flush out eye irritants. Saline solutions can also be added to bandages to help slow down bleeding. Keep a list of emergency numbers nearby, especially if you become upset. Such numbers should include poison control, local emergency rooms and your relatives, recommends KidsHealth. Also keep an emergency consent form accessible for your family, in case you're unable to give consent in severe emergencies. This will allow you to be treated in a hospital.

Medications

• Ensure that you have your medications.

  Keep over-the-counter pain relief medications in your home to help alleviate fevers and pain. Medications that could save your live in case of an emergency should be up to date. Such medications may include an Epi-kit when you have severe allergies, an inhaler, insulin or aspirin if you're at risk for heart attack. If you use aspirin, take the recommended dosage according to your physician's instructions.

Bandages

• Bandages have many uses.

  Keep a variety of adhesive bandages available. Adhesive bandages developed for fingers and knuckles help with hand abrasions, since they contour to your hand. You can use knuckle bandages on your toes and chin as well. Nonstick bandages can be applied to any area on your body. If you're allergic to the adhesive in adhesive bandages, you can apply sterile gauze to bleeding wounds to help stop bleeding. Elastic bandages can help keep the gauze in place. Elastic bandages also help with sprains by reducing inflammation and swelling.

Additional Items

• Tweezers can help to remove embedded slivers, such as splinters or glass from your skin. Tweezers with a solid grip are easier to hold. Rubbing alcohol can help disinfect wounds that aren't deep. However, CVS Pharmacy warns against using rubbing alcohol on deep wounds. You can also use alcohol pads. A turkey baster can help flush out wounds. Alternatively, you can use a bulb syringe. Keep rehydrating fluids in your home to prevent against dehydration, especially if you have an infant with diarrhea. Safety pins and pillow cases can help immobilize injured arms.

Other Tips

• It may help to take a CPR class, especially if you have children in your home. Being prepared can help you know what to do in an emergency. Every six months, replace used items, to keep your home stocked. Store your medications in a high kitchen cabinet, instead of your bathroom. Steam from showers can break down your medications.