CHRISTMAS must be full of enjoyable and cheer, nevertheless it may also be a time for mishaps and accidents.
All that mulled wine, meals and current wrapping can enhance our dangers of a vary of well being points, from choking to burns.
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The issue is, do you know what to do if one thing goes mistaken and somebody wants assist?
Well being and first aid charity St John Ambulance is urging everybody to ‘decelerate’ this Christmas, to keep away from preventable mishaps from taking place as we rush round for December 25.
St John Ambulance Medical Director, Lynn Thomas stated, “The festive interval is a joyful time however ought to include a well being warning with the variety of issues that might go mistaken.
“The DIY decorations, hordes of individuals underneath one roof, extreme consuming and consuming and new toys and devices to choke on or journey over.”
She added: “Sadly it’s typically the younger and aged who’re at elevated danger of a Christmas first aid incident, particularly with choking on finger meals or kids placing small toy items in mouths.
“However the excellent news is that if you are all collectively, there’s extra likelihood of somebody intervening, particularly in the event that they know first aid.”
The place to begin? Lynn outlines the festive first aid tips to assist see you and the household via Christmas unscathed…
HEALTH RISK: CANDLES
Christmas is a hotspot for fires. Authorities 2022 figures present candle fires elevated by seven per cent in 2022.
Don’t depart candles unattended and blow them out earlier than you go to mattress.
Ensure that they’re in appropriate non-plastic holders/containers and preserve away from any decorations/playing cards/curtains.
Preserve candles, heaters and fires away from Christmas playing cards, wrapping paper and decorations.
If you have babies or aged company – think about LED candles as a substitute.
What to do if you do get a burn:
Transfer the individual away from the warmth and hazard. Cool the damage as quickly as doable. Place the burn or scald underneath cool water for 20 minutes minimal or till the ache goes away.
If the burn is deep, or bigger than the individual’s hand, on their face, arms, toes, intimate space or the casualty is a youngster – name 999 instantly.
Take away jewelry and clothes across the space, except caught to the burn.
Cowl the burn loosely, lengthways with kitchen movie to assist stop an infection and preserve it clear. Don’t burst blisters.
HEALTH RISK: FALLS
Father Christmas would possibly fall down the chimney, however there’s no purpose you must be taking a tumble too.
Take your time placing up decorations – dashing can lead to journeys, falls and sprains.
Don’t go up to the loft to retrieve tinsel and baubles alone – get assist from a member of the family, pal, or neighbour.
Don’t lower corners by standing on a chair or stool, and if you have a stepladder, use it.
What to do if you fall:
Look out for ache and tenderness, swelling and bruising and problem shifting the world, particularly if it’s a joint.
R – Relaxation the injured half. Sit or lie down
I – Apply an ice pack or chilly compress equivalent to frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel for round 20 minutes
C – Comfy help. Use blankets, cushions to help the damage
E – Elevate the injured half
HEALTH RISK: FAIRY LIGHTS
De-tangling fairy lights will be a proper ache, as can getting a shock from lights on the blink.
As soon as you’ve (lastly) untangled them, examine for broken or frayed cables. If you do discover any, o recycle them and stick to tinsel or purchase a new set.
Examine they work earlier than placing them up and if you have a actual Christmas tree, at all times unplug lights earlier than watering the tree to scale back the chance of electrical shocks.
Double examine any exterior lights are protected and designed for outside use and preserve plugs/transformers indoors.
What to do if you do get an electrical shock:
Transfer the individual away from {the electrical} supply. You could give you the chance to stand on some dry insulating materials (equivalent to a plastic mat or picket field) and use a broom deal with or picket pole to push the casualty’s hand or foot away from the supply.
If it’s not doable to break contact utilizing a picket object, loop some rope across the beneath of the casualty’s arms or ankles and pull them away from {the electrical} supply.
Don’t contact the casualty till they’re away from {the electrical} supply.
As soon as you’re certain the contact has been damaged between the casualty and {the electrical} supply, carry out a primary survey deal with any accidents.
Within the case of cardiac arrest:
Examine for a response – gently shake the individual’s shoulders, and speak to them or ask a query. If there isn’t a response – shout for assist and open the airway.
Gently tilt the top – the mouth ought to fall open. Carry the chin. Examine respiratory – look, pay attention and really feel for indicators of respiratory for not more than ten seconds.
If they aren’t respiratory name 999/112 for emergency assist.
Kneel beside the casualty, degree with their chest. Place the heel of 1 hand instantly within the centre of the chest, put your different hand on prime, interlock fingers.
Start chest compressions – lean over the casualty, along with your arms straight and press down vertically on the breastbone (about two to three inches).
Launch the stress however don’t take your arms off the chest.
Repeat the speed of 100-120 per minute (consider the beat to Staying Alive) till emergency assist arrives, or the casualty begins coughing, respiratory or speaking.
HEALTH RISK: TOYS
Anybody who has skilled the agony of stepping barefoot on Lego or a plastic toy will know the most effective factor to do is preserve floorspaces tidy.
Be further cautious round small button batteries which might appear to be shiny sweets and are harmful if swallowed.
If a battery is by chance swallowed, the casualty must be taken to the closest A&E as quickly as doable.
Tidy away new toys to a nook when not being performed with – particularly small brightly colored constructing blocks and arduous to see toys, in addition to wires and stray controllers.
Have scissors to hand for opening powerful packaging and solely let adults/older kids use them.
Ensure that items to kids are age applicable – and won’t be eaten or change into a choking hazard.
What to do if somebody begins choking:
Ask them if they will breathe or converse, they could give you the chance to clear their very own throat. Encourage them to cough.
For a choking grownup – assist them to lean forwards, supporting their higher physique with one hand. With the heel of your different hand give them 5 sharp again blows between their shoulder blades.
After every again blow, examine their mouth and pick any apparent obstruction.
Give 5 belly thrusts – stand behind them and put your arms round their waist.
Place one hand in a clenched fist between their stomach button and the underside of their chest. Along with your different hand, grasp your fist and pull sharply inwards and upwards up to 5 instances.
Examine their mouth once more, every time. If the blockage nonetheless hasn’t cleared, name 999. In the event that they change into unresponsive, put together to begin CPR.
HEALTH RISK: KITCHEN FAILS
Feeding a horde of relations and associates will be tense, so ensure that individuals chip in and assist.
Watch out when making ready greens and carving the meats to keep away from knife cuts.
Within the stress of serving up Christmas dinner on time, corners could also be lower. Ensure that you permit loads of time to cook dinner your chicken and stuffing so nobody goes down with meals poisoning.
Singed eyebrows aren’t a nice look, so don’t stroll and speak with a flaming Christmas pud. As an alternative set gentle to it on a protected counter, away from little ones, or on the festive desk.
Remind company to let you know if they’ve allergic reactions and if you have one your self, guarantee you have antihistamines in your cabinet and carry your epi pen for a extra severe allergic response referred to as anaphylaxis.
What to do if you lower your self:
Clear the wound by rinsing it underneath working water or utilizing sterile wipes.
Pat the wound dry utilizing a gauze swab and canopy it with sterile gauze.
Take away the material or gauze masking the wound and apply a sterile dressing or a giant plaster.
Search medical assist if a wound received’t cease bleeding, a international object is embedded within the wound – like a splinter of wooden or glass, the wound is from a human or animal chunk, you suppose the wound is likely to be contaminated, you are not sure whether or not the casualty has been immunised in opposition to tetanus.
What to do if you suspect anaphylactic shock:
Name 999/112 for assist and inform them you suspect anaphylactic shock. If the casualty has an adrenaline auto-injector (epi pen) assist them to use it.
Pull off the security cap and holding it along with your fist, push the tip firmly in opposition to the casualty’s thigh till it clicks, releasing the remedy (it may be delivered via clothes) .
Maintain in place for ten seconds (observe the directions on the machine), then take away.
Assist the casualty sit up, in a place that finest relieves respiratory problem. If they’re pale, with a weak pulse, assist them to lie down with their legs raised.
If they’ve multiple EpiPen, Repeated doses of adrenaline will be given at 5 minute intervals if there isn’t a enchancment, whereas ready for assist to arrive.
HEALTH RISK: SKY HIGH STRESS
Simply because it’s Christmas doesn’t imply all the things has to be excellent. Attempt not to get overwhelmed.
What to do if you really feel a panic assault approaching:
Don’t breathe into a brown paper bag – it might worsen a extra severe sickness.
Panic assaults will be terrifying for the casualty. Be sort, reassure them and lead the casualty to a quiet place to allow them to regain management of their respiratory extra simply.
If they’re respiratory too quick, coach their respiratory and try to sluggish it down. Ask them to breathe in for 5 seconds, maintain for 5 seconds and breathe out for 5 seconds. Repeat this till their respiratory calms to a regular charge.
Encourage them to search medical recommendation on stopping panic assaults and controlling them sooner or later. If you are involved that the casualty just isn’t getting higher, or you can’t calm their respiratory, name 999/112 for an ambulance.
