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THE presents are wrapped, the stockings are up, and you've stockpiled enough food to see you through until spring – but are you prepared for any winter bugs, bumps or burns?

This winter, keep your family safe and well with a fully-stocked first aid kit, containing everything you might need to treat any minor illnesses or a Christmas cooking mishap.  

Preventable injuries occur during winter more than any other season, so having a well-stocked first aid kit can make all the difference when accidents happen. 

People tend to spend a lot more time indoors, which increases the risk of at home accidents like falls, so it’s important that you’re always prepared.

In the NHS we always get asked what people should be using, or have in their first aid kit at home, and your local pharmacy is a great place for you to stock up on first aid essentials.

Pharmacies also offer fast and convenient clinical advice for minor ailments. So, if you have a minor health concern, your local pharmacy is a great first port of call.  Pharmacists are experts in medicines and their uses, so speak to a pharmacist before it gets worse.

A basic first aid kit includes:

  • Paracetamol and ibuprofen – effective at relieving most minor aches and pains, such as headaches, and reducing temperatures
  • Oral rehydration salts – fever, diarrhoea, and vomiting make us lose water and essential minerals, and can lead to dehydration. Oral rehydration salts can help to restore your body’s natural balance of minerals and fluid and relieve discomfort and tiredness
  • Bandages - perfect for twists and simple sprains. Pack triangular bandages and also crêpe rolled bandages
  • Plasters – particularly useful for little ones, you will need a variety of different sizes and shapes to cover cuts
  • Thermometer - a first-aid kit should contain a thermometer to measure body temperature. An oral digital thermometer is probably the best choice. Remember, the normal body temperature is 36.5 to 37.5 degrees Celsius. Anything above this could indicate a fever
  • Antiseptic - a simple antiseptic ointment can be useful for minor cuts and grazes
  • Eyewash and eye bath - eyewash and eyebath are used to rinse eyes when they become contaminated with foreign particles or substances. Eyewash bottles need to be sterile, meaning that once they are opened and used, they need to be disposed of. It is vital that eye wash solution is not used after its expiry date
  • Sterile dressings - just a small roll can prove very useful for more serious cuts and wounds - but you should seek medical help too
  • Medical tape - surgical tape is an absolute necessity when it comes to applying non-self-adhesive bandages and dressings
  • Tweezers - a good pair of tweezers is always a handy tool and a must-have for emergency purposes

Your first aid kit should be locked and kept in a cool, dry place out of the reach of children.

Keep a first aid kit at home, and take one with you if you go on any trips or breaks away. It’s also a good idea to store one in your car in case you forget to pack it - if you have more than one family car, consider making a first aid kit for each car.

For more information visit: www.urgentoremergency.co.uk