Check your first-aid kit has what you need
Parents can't always prevent their children from getting hurt over the holiday season, but it is wise to ensure you're ready and prepared to treat any injuries.
Your best defence is a well-stocked first-aid kit.
These are the standard medical supplies that should be in a first-aid kit:.
* Four packs of sterile gauze
* Adhesive hypoallergenic tape
* Adhesive bandages in several sizes
* Two triangular elastic bandages and two crepe roller bandages, one large and one small.
ER24 spokesman Russel Meiring says it is better to be safe than sorry, so you should also include the following:
* Two large and two small sterile dressings
* Two sterile eye dressings
* Two eye pads with bandages
* One pack of sterile cotton wool swabs
* Assorted plasters (there are a variety of children’s comic character plasters on the market which will intrigue the ‘patient’ and make them feel better with a ‘hero’ plaster covering their injury).
* Antiseptic wipes
* Antibiotic cream
* One pack of paracetamol tablets and a bottle of liquid paracetamol
* Dehydration sachets
* Don’t forget any prescription medication (if going away on holiday)
* Tweezers
* Sharp scissors
* Six safety pins
* A face cloth
* Thermometer
* Two pairs of gloves
* A torch and spare batteries
“A list of emergency contact numbers, including the closest ambulance service, your family doctor and paediatrician should also be in the first-aid kit,” says Russel.
