There is simply no way to predict when an accident might happen in the home. In the event of a medical incident or emergency, having the right supplies to hand can be incredibly helpful.
The severity of accidents experienced in the home varies widely across the United States. For many people, an accident that happens in the home will not have serious health implications. Unfortunately for some, this is not the case, and these kinds of accidents can be fatal. In fact, data shows that more than 30,000 people die every year in the US due to an accident at home.
The Most Common Household Accidents
The most common household accidents leading to injury include:
- Falls
- Poisoning / Overdose
- Fires
- Suffocating
- Drowning
Although it is not always possible to prevent an accident from taking place, knowing how to deal with it could potentially save a life.
Undergoing basic first aid training is a great way to equip yourself with the knowledge to react well in an emergency. You will be able to find a course in your local area that you can complete in a few hours or over a couple of days.
In addition to undergoing basic first aid training, it is also a very good idea to stock your home with medical supplies.
Stocking Your First Aid Cabinet
Knowing what to keep in your first aid cabinet is a key component of having a safe home.
Great items to include are:
- Band-aids
- Bandages
- Sterile dressings
- Sterile gloves
- Sterile wipes
- Tweezers
- Scissors
- Antiseptic cream
- Painkillers
- Eyewash
Make sure that young children are unable to gain access to the first aid cabinet as this can pose a hazard itself.
Why Should You Be Prepared?
When you have all of the aforementioned items in your first aid cabinet, then you have the peace of mind of being prepared. Accidents can happen to absolutely anyone and can also happen at any time.
If a situation arises where a person in your household requires medical attention, but you are unable to go and get help, then it will be essential that you have the right supplies at home.
In the event of a serious incident, such as a burn, being able to offer interim treatment before the professionals arrive can be very helpful. For example, holding a cold compress on the burn site as soon as possible will help to reduce pain. This can also impact how well and how quickly the patient recovers. Leaving a burn untreated while you drive to the hospital could prolong the rate at which the skin heals.
Creating a Safe Home
Removing hazards from your home entirely is simply not possible. However, you can do your very best to create a safe home for you and your family. In order to create a safe environment, you should always ensure that you have the necessary medical supplies. Additional ways to keep your home safe include keeping it free from clutter and mess, never leaving your young children unsupervised, and keeping any potentially dangerous items out of reach of everyone who shouldn’t touch them.
