First Things First!By Pamela Caywood
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 Pam, Bill & Grace |
Do you remember the old adage Better safe than sorry? It is a good one and when it comes to safety you need to be prepared. It would be a real shame during an emergency to say to yourself, "If only I had made time..." In the spirit of spring and starting out on the right foot, I am encouraging all parents and grandparents to take stock of their safety preparation. Listed below are some pointers that will help you on your way. As always when you are discussing safety issues, you will want to talk to your Doctor and receive their input. So, let's put first things first and make safety our priority of the week.
You should have a first aid kit in your home and you should also have one for travel. I keep my travel kit in my car so it is always with me. A lightweight money or tackle box with a childproof lock is great for your "on the go kit!" Listed below are some of the essentials you will want in your kit:
First Aid Book: There are many available. I would suggest, A Sigh of Relief by Martin I. Green.(Bantam Books, copyright 1995) This book will give you a complete list of first aid supplies while I will just list the most common ones.
First Aid Kit: You may want to purchase a prepared kit and then supplement with additional supplies. The kits come in all sizes. The small kit is perfect for travel and costs about $7.50.
Adhesive Strip Bandages: You will want to have these in a variety of sizes. For children, buy ones that are colorful and fun which makes the "hurt" go away much faster!
Gauze Pads: 2"x2" and 4"x4" will accommodate most wounds
Adhesive Tape: You will use this to secure gauze pads, splints etc.
Ice pack: Ready to use ice pack is perfect for travel and a colorful one that is always ready in the freezer works well at home. Boo-boo Elmo really helps calm the tears at my house.
Tweezers, needles and matches: These items will help you to remove a splinter. Use the matches to sterilize the needle.
Thermometer: This is especially helpful when you are traveling. Purchase one that you are comfortable using.
Syrup of Ipecac: Use after you consult your Doctor or local Poison Control Center for accidental ingestion of poison.
Tylenol/Motrin/Advil: Keep extra on hand for reducing a fever or relieving pain.
Expired Credit Card: great to scrape off stingers
Baking Soda/Meat Tenderizer: Make a paste with water to relieve pain from bee sting.
Anti-itch Cream Benadryl Hydrogen Peroxide Petroleum Jelly Saline Nose Drops Rubbing Alcohol Surgical Scissors Bulb Syringe Ace Bandage Calibrated teaspoon: to measure medicine Paper Cups Flashlight Tissues
Extras for travel:
- Blanket/Towel
Paper and pen
Change for emergency phone call
Small bottles of water
Juice Boxes
Peanut butter crackers
My suggestion is that when you change your clocks in the spring and fall that you should also check the batteries in your smoke detectors and check your First Aid Kit. It is important to re-stock your supply and also to check the date on all of your supplies to make sure that they are still effective. Put a list of your first aid supplies in the kit so it is easy to determine what is missing.
Now, for more safety ideas:
1. Make several copies of important phone numbers (e.g. Doctor, Poison Control Center, Work Phone Numbers, Relatives) Put a copy by each phone, in each parent's wallet and in each first aid kit.
2. Always keep a recent photo of your child with you. On the back of the photo, you should write her age, height, weight, eye color, hair color and any distinguishing marks. In the unlikely event that your child is missing, you can quickly get people and police looking for the right child by showing her picture. If you have all of the pertinent information written down, it won't be a problem if you start to panic and cannot remember some particulars.
3. Finger printing and ID cards are becoming popular booths at Fairs. Next time you see a group offering this service, don't hesitate to have your child record this important information.
Well, those ideas should keep you busy. Please make time NOW to get your safety system in check! What a feeling you will have if you ever need something in an emergency and it is there!!
Pamela Caywood
May, 1998
Pamela Caywood is the proud mother of 3 year old Grace and 6 month old Will.
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