Introduction And Safety At Different Places

Safety and First aid
Introduction
In previous classes, we have studied that we must follow safety rules everywhere. However, accidents still take place. They cause pain and sufferings. Some of the causes of accidents at different places are as follows:

Safety at Home

Tripping due to toys or other objects lying on the floor stairs

Falling while climbing up or down the stairs

Electric shocks Do not do these activities

Consuming medicine! Food items which have crossed expiry date

Unsafe activities such as leaning on balcony, hiding in cupboard, wrapping bedsheet or dupatta around someone’s head

Allowing a stranger to enter
 

Safety at School / Playground

Climbing up or down the stairs

Fighting or bullying

Jumping on benches or running in corridors

Arguing and not following rules or games
 

Safety at the Pool

Swimming without assistance

Trying to dive at deep end

Not following safety norms

Safety on Road or While Traveling

Not obeying traffic rules
Not wearing safety belt / helmet

Getting in or out of moving vehicles

Accidents on road can be avoided by following the traffic rules and the road & signs.

First Aid - Simple Cuts, Sprain

First Aid

Sometimes accidents happen despite following safety measures. A person may get in­jured and need immediate help. The immediate help given to an injured person, before a doctor arrives is called first aid.

It is important to keep first aid box handy at home, at school, in school bus or any other vehicle we travel. The person providing first aid should stay calm and act fast. He/She should not panic.

Here are the ways to deal with some common accidents.

Simple Cuts:

Minor cuts or scratches can be treated easily but deep injuries need proper medical attention by a doctor.

Wash and clean your hands properly to make them germ free. Dirty hands can infect the wound.

Apply some antiseptic liquid with cotton wool over it. Put antiseptic cream or lotion, and bandage the wound after putting sterile gauze over it.

Change the bandage every day till the wound heals.

A cut due to a sharp object may lead to bleeding. Cover the wound with a clean cloth and press if for 15-20 minutes till the bleeding stops.

You can also use an ice-pack to stop the flow of blood and for curing a bruise too.

Sprain:

When tissues around a joint get torn, it is called a sprain. Apply an ice pack on the affected place, till the pain subsides. Place hot water bottle or take a hot water massage after twenty four hours.

First Aid - Fracture, Heat stroke, Bleeding Nose

Fracture:

A crack in a bone is called a fracture. A slip or a fall may cause fracture. In case of a fracture, do not move the injured part. Use a splint to provide support. A splint is made of wood or cardboard.

Do not move the affected part. Visit a doctor and get an X-ray done.

Heat stroke:

Heat stroke is caused when our body cannot bear the high external tem­perature due to direct sunlight. If a person suffers from heat stroke, move him to a cool shady place. To hydrate his body, give him fluids such as water or juice or electrolyte. Bring the person’s body temperature down by fanning him or sponging with cool water.

Bleeding Nose:

The first step should be to stop bleed­ing. Make the person sit upright with the head held for­ward. Apply pressure on nostrils with thumb and finger. Do this for ten minutes. When the bleeding stops, keep a cold pack over patient’s forehead. Visit a doctor.

First Aid - Object in the Eye, Animal Bites, In Case of Burns

Object in the Eye:

Wash your hand before touching the eye. Wash your eyes with water repeatedly. Do not put any sharp object in the eye to remove the particle.

Animal Bites:

Animal bites caused by dogs and cats can cause a deadly disease rabies. In case of such a bite, wash the infected area with soap and water. Apply an antiseptic cream and cover it with a clean bandage. Visit a doctor immediately.

In case of a snake bite, tie a bandage tightly between the wound and the heart to prevent the poison from reaching the heart. Take the patient to a doctor immediately. For ; stings caused by bee or wasps, apply a paste of baking soda and an antiseptic cream.

In Case of Burns:

Burns can be caused by fire, hot ob­jects, boiling liquids, steam, crackers, electricity or chem­icals (acid.) Minor burns can be treated at home but se­vere burns should only be treated by a doctor.

Cool the burnt area with water or ice till burning sensation goes.

A piece of cloth dipped in baking soda solution can also cool the affected area.

An antiseptic lotion or cream should be applied to prevent infection.

The burn can be covered with a clean cloth or sterile gauze.

If the burn is because of a chemical, wash it with water thoroughly, cover with sterile gauze and take the patient to a doctor immediately.

Do not try to remove any burnt clothing which is sticking to skin.