Accidents are just accidents. They happen, sometimes in the most unimaginable ways. And no matter how much we strive to make our environments as safe as possible, we will still encounter numerous cases of accidents. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the leading cause of deaths for Americans under 45 is the inadvertent home injuries. We treat our homes as the most comfortable places but still end up getting some of the nastiest accidents. And now that we are aware that we could get injuries anywhere, it is equally important to know how to deal with minor injuries and other health and safety issues.
What do you do when you get an accident at home? Do you sit there the whole day and wait for your doctor to come along.
Well, for the small accidents, you need to find out which ones they are and how best to manage them at home. More importantly, I would also inquire about the medical supplies near me and know what drugs are stocked.
- Falls
Think about the many times you tripped and fell when you were still a kid. Among the most common of household accidents, a fall comes ahead of the rest. There are normal falls which may not even require attention. I mean, it could be just a normal fall for your kid, and they don’t need to get any serious medication.
However, a few instances of falling could turn out to be severe than we may have anticipated. You don’t want to fall, which could lead to concussion, dislocated bones, and even death. The first line of defense against any unexpected fall is to use extra caution around the house.
When you fall, or your child falters, place an ice pack on bruises, and let them get as much rest as possible.
- Burns
Hot drinks cause most of the burns you see around. And for most children under the age of five, getting burns and scalds is so common that they take it as normal. However, children should be kept away from open fires, irons, cookers, and other harmful places.
When you get some mild burns, ensure you hold the burn under cold running water for not less than five minutes. Further, you can take a cling film from your first aid kit and cover the burns. Covering helps the burns remain clean and heal fast.
- Cuts
A lot of households report many accidents as having originated from the kitchen. And the bulk of these accidents are the minor cuts.
However, you can avoid being cut by keeping the knives sharp and using the knife on a cutting board. As earlier mentioned, there will always be an accident regardless of how cautious we may become.
To take care of the cut, do the following:
- Clean your hands
- Ensure you stop the bleeding
- Clean the wound
- Use an antibiotic on the cut area
- Finally, cover the wound
- Poisoning
Children can ingest and eat anything they come across. It may be the cleaning detergents or the medications in the unlocked cabinet. However, that doesn’t absolve adults from such accidents.
Adults are also at the risk of poisoning through exposure to substances like carbon monoxide. And while you may never know when the kids will lay their hand on the poisonous liquid, it is important to ensure the cabinets are fitted with childproof locks.
- Drowning
The golden rule here is that you should never leave a child unattended near the pool. But more importantly, ensure the swimming pool has a fence with a gate that locks.
- Sprains
The knees, ankles, and wrists are the common suspects when it comes to sprains. When you experience strains, apply an ice pack from your first aid kit and let the affected area rest.
But more importantly, there are casual outfits you could put on to make you comfortable and avoid so much stretching.
- Bruises
Bruises and knocks are very common, both in kids and adults. Even a small fall can lead to a nasty bruise.
Sometimes severe bruising can hide serious issues like dislocated joints and broken bones. It is therefore important to do close and constant monitoring on such bruises.
