Even though Bonfire Night can be really special for little ones, dark evenings and over-excited children is not a great combination. Thinking ahead can help make the evening memorable for all the right reasons so if you are planning fireworks at home or the use of sparklers it is essential to prepare a few things in advance.
Make sure you…
- Have an appropriately stocked first aid kit, a bucket of sand and plenty of water, a fire blanket and a bottle of sterile saline to irrigate eyes if any sparks become embedded;
- Check your fireworks conform to British Standards and ensure you have sufficient space to ignite them safely;
- Make absolutely sure you would know what to do in a medical emergency – if necessary please book onto a practical First Aid course or take an online course from www.onlinefirstaid.com;
- Light sparklers one at a time and always wear gloves;
- Always supervise children with sparklers, avoid them dancing around and ensure they are clear of other people. Have a bucket of sand to put used sparklers into and ensure no one picks them up until they have properly cooled.
Still, however careful you are, injuries can happen. Here is how to treat some of the more common ones:
Minor burns
- Hold the affected area under cold, running water for at least 10 minutes
- Cool the burn and keep the person warm – look out for signs of shock.
- If a child is burnt and the area is blistered and larger than a 50p piece, you should phone for an ambulance.
- Once the burn has been cooled for at least 15 minutes, the burn can be covered with cling film or inserted into a sterile plastic bag if appropriate –alternatively keep running it under water until the ambulance arrives.
If clothing is on fire
Remember : stop, drop, wrap and roll.
- Stop the casualty panicking or running – any movement or breeze will fan the flames;
- Drop the casualty to the ground and wrap them in a blanket, coat, or rug. Ensure they are made from heavy material that will not easily burn such as a woolen coat;
- Roll the casualty along the ground until the flames have been smothered;
- Make the casualty as comfortable as possible, ideally lie them down and elevate their legs, to reduce the risk of clinical shock;
- Whilst cooling, remove any constricting items such as jewellery or clothing from the affected area unless they are stuck to the burn. Wear disposable gloves if they are available.
NEVER:
- Touch the burn
- Use lotions, ointments or creams
- Use adhesive dressings
- Break blisters
Eye injuries
Fireworks and bonfires release sparks and debris, which can land in the eye and be painful.
Should someone have a spark in their eye wash your hands and carefully open the casualty’s eye looking in particular for anything embedded in the eye. If there is anything lodged in the eye, cover both eyes and phone for an ambulance. If you can see the object in the eye and it is moving freely, use a sterile eye wash and gently irrigate the eye to remove it. If the casualty remains in pain, or discomfort, seek medical advice.
It is strongly advised that you attend a practical or online First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.
Be safe and have fun this Bonfire Night.
The post Bonfire Night – First Aid and Safety Tips appeared first on Eddie Catz Blog.