As the festive season approaches, St John Ambulance shares essential first aid tips to ensure a safe and joyous time.
St John Ambulance Associate Clinical Director, Sue Hampshire, said: “The festive period is a joyful time and St John Ambulance wants everyone to enjoy themselves wherever they are. However, we also want everyone to stay safe and to be aware of the potential hazards around DIY decorations, lots of people gathered together, excessive eating and drinking and the risk of choking or tripping from small items or toys.
Get a handle on candles
Christmas is the time of year most fire related incidents happen.
• Never leave candles unattended, and extinguish them before bed. Place them in non-plastic holders and away from flammable materials. For added safety, especially around children and the elderly, consider LED candles.
• In cases of a burn, start cooling the injury as soon as possible. Place the burn or scald under cool water for 20 minutes minimum or until the pain goes away. For severe burns, seek immediate medical attention. Cover minor burns with kitchen film and avoid bursting blisters.
Scary fairy lights
De-tangling fairy lights scores high on the festive stress test and is not much fun, but neither is getting a shock from lights on the blink…
• Check for damaged cables before using fairy lights. Ensure exterior lights are suitable for outdoor use and keep electrical components indoors.
• If an electrical shock occurs, move the person away from the electrical source. You may be able to stand on some dry insulating material (such as a plastic mat or wooden box) and use a broom handle or wooden pole to push the casualty’s hand or foot away from the source.
What to do if someone does get an electric shock or go into cardiac arrest:
• Do not touch the casualty until they are clear of electrical source. Turn off the source of electricity at the mains if possible or remove the plug from the socket.
• Once you’re sure the contact has been broken between the casualty and the electrical source, perform a primary surveyand treat any injuries.
• If they are not breathing, call 999/112 for emergency help. Kneel beside the casualty, level with their chest. Place the heel of one hand directly in the centreof the chest, put your other hand on top, and interlock fingers. Begin chest compressions – lean over the casualty with your arms straight and press down vertically on the breastbone (about 2-3 inches). Release the pressure, but do not take your hands off the chest. Push at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute. If you are trained to do so, after 30 compressions, provide 2 rescue breaths. If you are unable or unwilling to provide rescue breaths, give continuous chest compressions.
Toy Gory
Anyone who has ever stepped barefoot on a tiny building block or small plastic toy rarely does it twice, but to prevent inflicting pain on unsuspecting relatives and friends, and avoiding trips, keep floorspace tidy!
• Keep floors tidy to prevent trips over toys and batteries. Ensure toys are age-appropriate and not choking hazards.
• If someone is choking, encourage coughing, and perform back blows and abdominal thrusts. Call 999/112 if the blockage persists and be prepared to do CPR if they become unresponsive.
Anaphylactic Shock
• Call 999/112 for help and tell them you suspect anaphylactic shock.
• If the casualty has an adrenaline auto-injector (EpiPen or similar) help them to use it.
• Pull off the safety cap and holding it with your fist, push the tip firmly against the casualty’s thigh until it clicks, releasing the medication (it can be delivered through clothing) .
• Hold in place for ten seconds (follow the instructions on the device), then remove.
• Help the casualty to sit in a position that helps their breathing. If they become pale with a weak pulse, lie them down with their legs raised and supported.
• While waiting for help to arrive and if they have more than one EpiPen, repeated doses of adrenaline can be given at 5-minute intervals if there is no improvement.
St John Ambulance reminds everyone to be prepared and knowledgeable about first aid to ensure a happy and safe holiday season. For more information, visit our website at www.sja.org.uk.
