Things in a first aid kit for a home

Accidents can happen at any time to anybody. We can't prevent accidents but we can be prepared to face an accident. Knowing first aid procedures and having a first aid kit is an absolute necessity. It's good that children are taught about first aid in schools.
As accidents can happen due to a wide range of causes like a fall or an insect bite or poison or an allergy. It is advisable to buy a good first aid book which has pictorial description, emergency phone numbers and the local hospital addresses and also be aware of everything in the book. If the children are old enough to understand, read it for them. They grasp things very fast and act quick too and it would be very handy in case of any emergencies or accidents.
To set up a first aid box, we first need a box that is handy or portable. It must be kept in a place that is accessible and be known to everyone in the home, except to very small children. The list of supplies given below have to be kept in a first aid kit:
1.First aid manual.
2.Sterile cotton balls.
3.Absorbable and non absorbable cotton rolls.
4.Sterile gauze of different sizes 4" and 6".
5.Sterile pads.
6.Adhesive bandages.
7.Band aids of different sizes and shapes.
8.Thermometer.
9.Sharp scissors.
10.Thumb forceps / tweezers.
11.Sterile spatulas / tongue depressors.
12.Torch with extra batteries (check condition at-least weekly).
13.Disposable syringe and needles (2 and 5 cc).
14.cold pack (stored in fridge).
15.Sterile or clean gloves (2 pairs).
16.Acetaminophen(Tylenol) and ibuprofen (for pain, fever, cold and any inflammation).
17.Aspirin (chest pain).
18.Avil and benedryl (allergies).
19.Bronchodilators (breathing difficulty).
20.Milk of magnesia. (antacid for poison)
21.Antibiotic cream.
22.Antiseptic solution.
23.Hydrocortisone cream.
24.Vaseline.
25.Antiseptic wipes.
26.Antiseptic lotion.
27.Calamine lotion.
29.Alcohol wipes.
30.Safety pins.
31.Antiseptic soaps.
32.Blanket (stored near by).
Most important of all:
1. Learn CPR.
2. Have the emergency phone numbers written on top of the first aid box.
3. Be familiar with the things in the kit and learn to use them(action & dosage of medicines especially).
4. Check the articles in the kit at least weekly and replace them immediately if something is missing or if medicine dates expires.
5. Get help as quick as you can in an emergency.
As they say ' a stitch in time saves nine ', a thoughtful act on time will save your life and the lives of others. So have a first aid kit ready with the essential supplies mentioned above and encourage others also to do the same.

How to prepare for a hospital stay?

Hospital stay involves preparing yourself both physically and mentally. It's better if you know beforehand that you'll be hospitalized rather than having an emergency one. You'll have to settle a lot of things at home, office and with children depending upon the duration and kind of stay.

If it's a planned hospital stay,

1. Check your eligibility and coverage of your insurance in that particular hospital.

2. Book a room on the convenient date available ahead of time.

3. Visit the room if possible and if interested.

4. Be ready to pay the bill for the bed in advance, some hospitals demand that.

5. Keep the things ready for hospitalization on the previous day. Make a list of what all you need and make sure you take them all. Usually the things include brush, paste, soap, shampoos, creams, oil, comb, towel, night dress or bath robes, inner garments, bathroom slippers,torch, favorite books, flask, mobile, phone or address book, glasses, dentures, other regular medicines, insurance card, debit or credit card, social security number and most important of all BIBLE.

6. Avoid taking jewelry, money, electronic appliances and other valuables.

7. Get oriented with the hospital setting and the rules and regulations of the hospital. You'll be given a booklet about these things during admission.

8. If you have children at home, make alternate arrangements for them. Tell your close relative or friends to care for them for few days. Make sure all their basic needs are met and their studies are not disturbed.

9. This is the best time for the older children to take responsibilities at home. So give them clear instructions of what to do in case of emergency and also what not to do.

10. If no one is going to stay home, make sure you clear the perishable things from the kitchen, switch off the gas and electric system and double check whether you have locked the house before you leave the house.

11. Inform close relatives and friends about your hospitalization, so that they can help you in some ways or at least give you a call and reassure you with kind words when you are in hospital.

12. Though there will be a lot of things running in your mind while you are preparing for a hospital stay, don't lose hope and always think positively.

13. Do relaxation exercises like deep breathing and muscle relaxing techniques whenever you feel tensed. Becoming anxious will worsen your health status.

14. Go with the positive attitude about the medical team. Not all doctors are always good and not all nurses are always bad but they all work together for your good.

15. If you have pets at home, leave them to a reliable and caring person who's friendly and who knows how to care of them. If you have plants, make sure you tell somebody to water them or if it's in pots leave them at your friends house.

16. If you are working, talk to your boss and apply for leave at the earliest. This will help them to replace you with another person in your absence.

If it's an emergency, there will be no such preparations. But if you are chronically ill and if your disease involves an emergency anytime then you should be prepared with your insurance card, identity tag representing you are a known case of such and such disease, on such and such treatment and allergic to such and such things etc. Always be ready financially. Prepare your family for such emergencies.

East or west, home is best. There is no place on earth that's comfortable as home, that's why we say home sweet home. Remember you are going to get back to this happy home very soon and the hospital stay is just temporary. Make your hospital experience a pleasurable and a memorable one by preparing yourself ahead of time with these useful tips.