Your Winter First-aid Kit: Getting It Together
Published on in Health Tip of the Week
Published on in Health Tip of the Week
When Old Man Winter arrives, many common winter illnesses do, too. To be prepared for everything that winter brings, make sure your home first-aid kit is stocked and ready so you don't find yourself up late at night with a sick child — and no cold medicine.
Check your first-aid cabinet and dispose of outdated items, then restock it with:
Spilled hot foods and liquids are the most common cause of burns in children. Around the holidays, kids are often helping with cooking or curious about what's in the pot. Prevent injuries by using your stove’s back burners as much as possible, and keeping pot handles turned toward the back of the stove.
Minor burns can be treated with cold water, cold compresses or an ice pack wrapped in a towel. To relieve discomfort from minor burns, you can use:
Seek immediate medical care for burns that are more than 3 inches in size or appear to involve multiple layers of skin.
You may also want to add these items to your first-aid kit:
Contributed by: Patrick S. Pasquariello Jr., MD
Categories: Health Tip of the Week