PERSONAL SAFETY

Emergency First Aid

Treatment
BUILDING A FIRST AID KIT
A well-stocked first aid kit is a must-
have for treating minor injuries at
home and on the go.
ADHESIVE TAPE
ALCOHOL WIPES
ALLERGY MEDICINE
 Reduce itchiness and
Inflimmation

ALOE VERA GEL

FOR BURNS FOR WOUNDS

ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENT
BANDAGES IN DIFFERENT SIZES
CALAMINE LOTION
calamine lotion, is a
medication used to treat
mild itchiness. This includes
from sunburn, insect bites
COLD PACKS
Cold packs are very effective at reducing swelling
and numbing pain.
ELASTIC BANDAGES
GAUZE ROLLS AND
PADS
HAND SANITIZER
(for your travel first aid kit)
LATEX-FREE GLOVES
PAIN RELIEVERS
LIKE ACETAMINOPHEN AND IBUPROFE
N
SALINE WOUND
WASH
Clinically-proven pressure
removes bacteria and debris. It
works painlessly and promotes
healing. It is gentle as your own
tears.
SCISSORS AND TWEEZERS
WHERE SHOULD I STORE MY
FIRST AID KIT?
Your kit should be easy to find. But it should be kept in a high, childproof
cabinet, far away from kids’ prying fingers.
Keep one full-sized kit in a central spot at home, such as your kitchen or
bathroom.
Then put a smaller kit in your car or purse for when you’re on the road.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I
CHECK MY FIRST AID KIT?
DO I NEED TO BANDAGE A
CUT OR SCRAPE?
You don’t need to bandage every cut and
scrape. Some heal more quickly when left
uncovered to stay dry. But if the cut is on a part
of the body that might get dirty or rub against
clothes, put on a bandage to protect it.
Change the bandage every day or whenever
it gets wet or dirty.
HOW LONG SHOULD A CUT OR
SCRAPE BE COVERED?

Once a solid scab has

formed, you can take off the
bandage.
When do I need to call my
doctor?

CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR OR GO

TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM IF:
 The
cut is deep, long, or the edges are jagged. You
may need stitches and a tetanus shot.
 The
cut or scrape is from a dirty or rusty object. You
may need a tetanus shot.
 The injury is from an animal or human bite.
 You can’t stop the bleeding with direct pressure.
 You can’t get dirt out of the wound.
 Thecut is on your face or near a joint, like on your
fingers.
 Youhave a fever of more than 100.4 F (in either an
adult or child).
WHEN SHOULD I USE GAUZE AND
TAPE?

Gauze and tape work best

for large cuts and scrapes
that bandages won’t cover.
Ask your pharmacist which
type of gauze is best for you.
HOW SHOULD I APPLY
GAUZE AND TAPE?
Wash your hands with soap and water.
You can also wear gloves.
Gently wash the wound with a wet piece
of gauze or washcloth.
Place a piece of clean gauze over the
wound.
Apply tape around the edges of the
gauze to hold it in place.
NOSEBLEEDS
HOW DO I TREAT A NOSEBLEED?
Lean the head slightly forward, so blood doesn’t run
down the throat.
With a tissue or washcloth, gently press the nostrils
together to stop the bleeding.
Hold the nose for at least 5 minutes. Then check to
see if the bleeding has stopped. If it hasn’t stopped,
gently squeeze for another 10 minutes.
ANIMAL BITES AND INSECT STINGS
HOW DO I TREAT ANIMAL BITES AND
SCRATCHES?

Hold a towel or gauze to the area to

stop the bleeding.
Clean the wound with soap and water.
Cover it with a clean bandage or
gauze pad.
YOU SHOULD CALL YOUR DOCTOR
OR HEAD TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM
IF:
The bite was caused by an animal you
don’t know, or by any wild animal like a
raccoon, skunk, or bat. You may need
a tetanus or rabies vaccine.
The bite is large, or it doesn’t stop bleeding
after you’ve held pressure on it for 15
minutes. It may need to be closed with
stitches.
You think the bite may have damaged a
bone, tendons, or nerves, because you
can’t bend or straighten the body part or
you’ve lost feeling in it.
The wound is red, swollen, or oozing fluid.
HOW DO I TREAT A MOSQUITO BITE?
HERE’S WHAT TO DO:

Apply firm pressure to the bite for 10

seconds to help stop the itch.
Use a baking soda paste 4 times a day
to relieve itching. Don’t have either on
hand? Holding ice or a wet washcloth
on the bite will also help.
Take an antihistamine if the bite is very
itchy. (anti allergy)