Home first aid kit Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, December 2008.
Answers to questions about home first aid kit
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.
- How should I clean a minor wound on my child?
- How should I take someone's temperature?
- How can I prevent my child having an accident in my home?
How should I clean a minor wound on my child?
If your child has a cut, it's important that you clean the wound to minimise the risk of infection.
Explanation
A wound is a break in the skin on the body. You can control minor bleeding by applying pressure and elevating the wound above the level of your child's heart.
It's important that you take steps to prevent infection and make sure the cut heals quickly.
- Wear disposable latex gloves before you treat your child's wound to minimise any risk of infection. If gloves aren't available then you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Clean the wound under running water.
- Pat the area dry with a sterile dressing or a gauze swab.
- Raise the wounded area above the heart if possible.
- Cover the cut temporarily while you clean the surrounding skin with soap and water.
- Pat the surrounding skin dry and remove the covering. Apply a plaster or sterile dressing.
Try not to talk, cough or breathe over your child's wound as this can increase the risk of infection. You should get medical help if there is something embedded (stuck) in the cut, or if it's an old wound that looks infected. If it's infected, you will notice redness or swelling and the cut will feel painful. You should also seek medical advice if the wound was caused by an animal bite or dirty object, as there is a risk of tetanus. This will also give you a good opportunity to make sure your child is up-to-date with his or her tetanus vaccines.
Further information
- St John Ambulance
020 7324 4000
www.sja.org.uk
Sources
- St John Ambulance, St Andrew's Ambulance Association, British Red Cross. First Aid Manual. 7th ed. London: Dorling Kindersley Ltd, 1997
- Bleeding. St John Ambulance. www.sja.org.uk, accessed 15 September 2008
- Lacerations. Management. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. www.cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 17 September 2008
How should I take someone's temperature?
If someone you know has a fever, he or she may feel hot to touch. You should feel his or her forehead with the palm of your hand. There are different types of thermometer you can use to take someone's temperature.
Explanation
You can take someone's temperature by placing a thermometer in the armpit, mouth or ear. It's more reliable to take the temperature in the mouth. If you're taking your child's temperature and he or she finds it difficult to keep the thermometer in the mouth, you may find it easier to take it in the armpit.
The average normal body temperature can vary depending on the time of day and where you take the reading. When someone has a fever, his or her temperature in the mouth rises above 37.5°C. If you take the reading from the armpit, it will be around 0.5°C lower than this. You must remember that factors like a recent hot or cold drink, or even if the person has just been outside in the cold can affect temperature readings.
There are a number of different types of thermometers. You should avoid using a mercury thermometer, as it can break easily and contains poisonous mercury. Digital thermometers are relatively easy to use and can be placed in the armpit or under the person's tongue for three minutes. This type of thermometer is ideal for children.
Another option is a digital aural thermometer that measures the temperature in the ear. These are expensive but only take a few seconds to use.
Thermometer strips can be placed on the person's forehead. The strip measures the person's skin temperature rather than his or her body temperature, so isn't entirely accurate but gives a general idea of the person's temperature.
Sources
- Dr Carol Cooper. The baby and child question and answer book. London: Dorling Kindersley Ltd, 2007: 214-215
- Simon C, Everitt H, Kendrick T. Oxford handbook of general practice. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007:284
- Personal communication, Dr W Simpson, MBBS, General Practitioner, 9 October 2008
- St John Ambulance, St Andrew's Ambulance Association, British Red Cross. First Aid Manual. 7th ed. London: Dorling Kindersley Ltd, 1997
How can I prevent my child having an accident in my home?
There are a number of dangers in the home that can cause accidents and injuries. It's important that you spend time taking safety precautions to prevent accidents in your home.
Explanation
Many accidents that happen in the home can be prevented. The largest number of injuries that happen to children in the home occur when they fall. Other types of accidents include drowning, poisoning, suffocating, choking and burns.
It's important that you make your house as safe as possible to prevent your child having an accident. There are a number of things you can do throughout your home, for example:
- make sure your furniture has no sharp edges
- put covers on any plug sockets that aren't in use
- always use a secure fireguard
- keep matches and plastic bags out of reach
- fit smoke alarms and check regularly
- lock chemicals and medicines away in a cupboard
- put child-proof catches on your cupboards and drawers
- fit locks to windows to keep them secure
- keep floors free of toys and other items that your child could trip over
- put safety gates at the top and bottom of your stairs
- turn off electrical items when not in use
- when running a bath for your child, use the cold water first and then pour in the hot
It's also important that you teach your child about the potential dangers in your house.
Further information
- The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
0121 248 2000
www.rospa.co.uk
Sources
- Home safety. Advice and information. Accidents to children. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. www.rospa.co.uk, accessed 18 September 2008
- Dr Carol Cooper. The baby and child question and answer book. London: Dorling Kindersley Ltd, 2007: 214-215
- Children and accidents. Child Accident Prevention Trust, 2008. www.capt.org.uk
- Child accident facts. Child Accident Prevention Trust, 2008. www.capt.org.uk
Related topics
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: December 2008
Home first aid kit factsheet
Visit the home first aid kit health factsheet for more information.
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