How to Create a Home First Aid Kit – Part Two

In order to always be prepared for emergencies, you need a reliable first aid kit, but remember it also needs to be stocked sufficiently! Supply Doctor has a wide range of medical supplies that you can use to fill your home first aid kit. Here’s exactly what to stock in your kit…

1. A range of bandages
When dealing with cuts and scrapes, it is ideal to have an array of sizes and types of different bandages. Place all your bandages in a clear Ziploc bag with a label. Include the following bandages:

- 25 adhesive bandages of different sizes
- Five gauze pads
- A roll of cloth adhesive tape
- Two sterile dressings
- Roller bandage
- Triangular bandages

2. Basic medical tools
You need to be ready to pluck splinters, cut bandages and other first aid tasks without searching for different tools around the house. Place these in a labelled Ziploc bag as well and include:

- Small, sharp scissors
- Tweezers
- Non-latex gloves
- Oral thermometer
- Cotton balls and swabs
- CPR breathing barrier mask
- Instant cold press
- First aid instruction booklet
- Hand sanitizer
- Cleansing wipes

3. Additional tools
If you have a big first aid kit, you might want to add non-essential medical tools in a separate pouch or bag. These might include:

- Eye protection
- Space blanket
- Aluminium finger splint
- Duct tape
- Petroleum jelly
- Sewing needle
- Safety pins

4. Medications
Keep these separate from bandages and tools, and clearly marked. Make sure to check the expiry dates regularly too. Include the following:

- Aloe Vera gel
- Calamine lotion
- Anti-diarrheal medication
- Laxatives
- Antacids
- Antihistamines
- Pain relievers
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Cold/cough medicine

5. Family medications
If any members of the family need prescription medications, consider including them in your first aid kit, especially if you are travelling. Ensure that you keep them in clearly marked containers.

- Keep close track of the expiry dates of the medications
- If anyone has severe allergies, keep an epi-pen in the home kit with instructions

Always be aware of what you use and don’t let the supplies run too low. In order to have a fully effective home first aid kit, it keeps to be stocked properly!

How to Create a Home First Aid Kit – Part One

Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere, so it is vital to always be prepared. Having a properly stocked first aid kit in your home is easy and essential, especially if an emergency happens and it involves your family.

1. Pick a good bag or container
You can buy a pre-filled first aid kit, and you can buy empty first aid bags or containers. But, its also possible to find a suitable one at home.

- One good option is a see-through, water-resistant plastic container with a zipper or lid. This is great, as you can see the contents inside.

- For a larger first aid kit, a duffel bag or backpack will work.

- If you want to purchase an empty first aid bag or box, try Supply Doctor as they have a wide variety to choose from.

- Regardless of what you choose, make sure it is clearly identifiable by writing “First Aid” on it, or sticking on a label.

2. Make your kit safely and easily accessible
When your child is crying about a cut or scrape on their knee, you don’t want to have to search through your entire home just to find your first aid kit.

- Decide on a consistent spot for your first aid kit to stay. An accessible, visible shelf would be perfect, and make sure to inform everyone where it is located.

- Let small children know where the kit is, but make sure it is in a place they cannot access. You don’t want them getting into the first aid kit and fiddling with potentially dangerous contents.

3. Teach your family about the kit
Make sure everyone who is old enough understands the function of the first aid kit and knows its exact location.

- For smaller children who are too young to be using the items in the kit, teach them where it is located so they can inform a visitor, relative or babysitter if there is an accident.

- For older children and adults, they should be taught how to use the specific items. A first aid kit instruction booklet will help.

4. Keep your first aid kit up-to-date
No one wants to go fetch the first aid kit and find that there are no plasters or bandages left.

- Keep track of the supply amounts and expiration dates on a regular basis.

5. Create a checklist to include with your kit
Stock your first aid kit and make sure to record every item on a sheet of paper you can include in the kit.

- Record the certain amounts and expiration dates and write them down next to the listed items on your checklist.

- The checklist will help whoever uses the first aid kit to see what is inside and what items are ready to use.

First aid kits are easy enough to make on your own, Part Two will explain what to stock in your home first aid kit.

8 Reasons why you should own an Alcohol Tester

It doesn’t matter if you are a light or heavy drinker; there are vital reasons why you should have your own breathalyzer.

Take a look at the wide range of alcohol testers on Supply Doctor. Buy one for yourself and you can prevent your life from taking a turn for the worst.

#8 Do you really know how much is too much?

Many factors can contribute to how inebriated you get, age, weight and how often you drink. Each person is different and reacts differently to alcohol; this is why it’s important not to take chances.

#7 Drinking less than the limit still has side effects

You can still be impaired, even if your blood alcohol level is below the percentage. This is why it’s so important to check your blood alcohol level before getting behind the wheel.

#6 Goes on your record

Do you really want a record? I don’t think so. If you are caught for drunk driving it can stay on your record for up to 10 years, this will turn off any potential employers.

#5 Jail time

Have you ever imagined spending the night in jail? Or have you already experienced it? It’s not fun. Most people who are pulled over have a high chance of going to jail to sober up, then getting a friend or family member to bail them out.

#4 An alcohol tester gives peace of mind

The last thing you should have to worry about when you go out for dinner or a party is whether you or not you’re sober enough to drive home safely. Even if you have only had a few drinks, it is always better to know for sure if you are putting yourself at risk for driving under the influence.

#3 A wise investment

A DUI fine is actually really expensive. So, think to yourself, is it really worth it? Or even better, can you afford it? This is another important reason why you should invest in an alcohol tester,  it’ll cost you so much less.

#2 Endangering your own life

Your life is important, this is even more reason for you to buy your own alcohol tester. Always remember that driving while you are slightly buzzed is still considered drunk driving and can result in a fatal accident.

#1 Endangering the lives of others

Did you know that every few minutes a drunk driver kills a person? Is it really worth endangering the lives of innocent people, when the consequences can last a lifetime?

Instead of changing aspects of your life that you enjoy doing, you should simply get yourself a valuable, yet affordable alcohol tester.

How to take your own Blood Pressure

Taking your own blood pressure may seem complicated, but it is actually a really simple thing to do. However, it is extremely important to know how to do it properly and take an accurate reading.

In order to take your blood pressure, you’ll need a reliable blood pressure meter. If you don’t have your own already, take a look at the Supply Doctor website and order one today.

Once you have a blood pressure meter, there are a few simple steps that you can follow to make sure you get a correct reading of your blood pressure.

Before you take your blood pressure reading:

  Ø  Many things can make your blood pressure rise for a short time. Make sure you are not stressed out, and that you have not just eaten a big meal. Do not measure your blood pressure if you have just smoked a cigarette or drank caffeine.

  Ø  Wear loose clothing like a short sleeved shirt so you can push your sleeve up comfortably.

  Ø  Always use the same arm each time you take a blood pressure reading. If possible, use the arm your doctor uses.

  Ø  Before you take your reading, rest for about five minutes. You should be in a quiet place, with your arm resting on a surface and your feet flat on the floor.

  Ø  Make sure your arm is supported and that the cuff around your arm is at the same level as your heart. Your arm should be relaxed, not tensed.

How to take your blood pressure:

  Ø  Put the cuff on, following the instructions that came with your monitor.

  Ø  Ensure you are completely relaxed. If you are tense or anxious, this will affect your readings.

  Ø  When you are busy taking your reading, keep still and silent.

  Ø  Take about two or three readings, each about two minutes apart, and then work out the average.

  Ø  Record your reading, either in the memory of your monitor or on a computer or journal.

You don’t have to trek all the way to the doctor’s office to have your blood pressure checked, you can easily monitor it at home using these simple steps.