From cuts and allergies to sprains and stings… a well-stocked first aid kit is a must to deal with injuries at home. So, what should be in yours?
You’re cooking dinner and have cut yourself chopping an onion. Your husband has managed to puncture his thumb with a sharp thorn in the garden. Your best friend has streaming eyes after stroking your cat, and her teenage daughter has burnt herself taking cupcakes out of the oven. Do you have a handy first aid kit waiting to be used in such situations, or are you more likely to rely on a rummage through the bathroom cabinet and an ancient Mr. Men plaster?
It is, of course, very unlikely that you’ll be facing these scenarios all at once. But research shows that we are far more likely to have an accident at home than out and about – and these can range from tripping up steps to falling off ladders, burning ourselves cooking and getting injured in the garden. In fact, a recent survey by the National Accident Helpline showed that a huge 73% of participants had suffered some form of injury at home in the prior year. And cooks, watch out – the kitchen claimed the most victims, injuring 60% of respondents – almost double the injury rate of the next most dangerous area, the garden. ‘Our homes are where we spend most of our time,’ says a spokesperson for UK medical manufacturer Steroplast. ‘They’re where we prepare our food, play with our children, exercise, relax, host guests, and sometimes decide to take on ambitious DIY home improvement projects! Accidents can and do happen, often when we least expect them – and keeping a well-stocked first aid kit at home is essential.’ So aside from the must-have hand steriliser gel, plus other essentials, such as tweezers for removing splinters and stings, and a thermometer (digital are easiest and the most accurate), what else needs to be in it?
FOR PAIN
Although evidence suggests paracetamol doesn’t work for chronic pain, for millions it’s the go-to for headaches, period pain and hangovers. ‘If you want a simple painkiller, you can’t go wrong with paracetamol,’ says Dr Rachel Ward, an Oxfordshirebased NHS GP. ‘There are very few people who are unable to take it. I’d recommend having the equivalent liquid paracetamol, Calpol, for children, too.’ The recommended daily dose for adults is 500mg to 1g every four to six hours, and it’s effective for mild to moderate pain from headaches, toothaches, muscle and joint pains and period pains. You could also include ibuprofen, Rachel adds, which belongs to a class of drug known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, and can bring down inflammation as well as offering pain relief. Nurofen is the most popular brand, but own-label ibuprofen tablets are cheaper. Be aware, though, says Rachel: ‘A significant amount of people can’t take ibuprofen because it interacts with other medicines.’
