Think safety first when preparing and training your employees for emergency situations. One of the first items you should pick up? A first aid kit.
Choose a first aid kit that is tailored to the amount of employees you have. A kit for 75 employees will have the correct amount of emergency supplies including but not limited to:
- Latex Gloves
- Antibiotic Ointment
- CPR Mouthpiece
- Adhesive Bandages in various sizes
- Ibuprofen
Here are some common first aid tips for cuts and scrapes brought to you by the Mayo Clinic :
- Stop the bleeding - If the cut does not stop bleeding on its own, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. Hold the pressure continuously for 20 to 30 minutes. If the blood spurts or continues to flow after continuous pressure, seek medical assistance
- Clean the wound - Rinse out the wound with clear water. Soap can irritate the wound, so try to keep it out of the actual wound. If dirt or debris remains in the wound after washing, use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to remove the particles. If debris remains embedded in the wound after cleaning, see your doctor.
- Apply an antibiotic. After you clean the wound, apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment such as Neosporin or Polysporin to help keep the surface moist. The products don't make the wound heal faster, but they can discourage infection and allow your body's healing process to close the wound more efficiently.
- Cover the wound. Bandages can help keep the wound clean and keep harmful bacteria out. After the wound has healed enough to make infection unlikely, exposure to the air will speed wound healing.
- Change the dressing. Change the dressing at least daily or whenever it becomes wet or dirty.
- Get stitches for deep wounds. A wound that is more than 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) deep or is gaping or jagged edged and has fat or muscle protruding usually requires stitches. A strip or two of surgical tape may hold a minor cut together, but if you can't easily close the mouth of the wound, see your doctor as soon as possible. Proper closure within a few hours reduces the risk of infection.
- Watch for signs of infection. See your doctor if the wound isn't healing or you notice any redness, increasing pain, drainage, warmth or swelling.
- Get a tetanus shot. Doctors recommend you get a tetanus shot every 10 years. If your wound is deep or dirty and your last shot was more than five years ago, your doctor may recommend a tetanus shot booster. Get the booster within 48 hours of the injury.
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