Whether it is at your home, in your car or workplace first aid information should be readily available to everyone in case of an emergency. All types of medical emergencies can pop up from a small cut on a finger to a person suffering a massive heart attack and appropriate first aid information needs to be handy.
The American Red Cross is an exceptional source for first aid information and has information on just about every emergency contingency. Accurate, updated information could mean the difference between life and death and in some cases; you may have to take care of yourself.
At home, you should be aware of the first aid information for every chemical in your home. Not necessarily memorizing every item in your home, but knowing where to find the information can save a lot of grief in case of an emergency. Material Safety Data Sheets are available for every dangerous products sold in the United States.
These information sheets contain information on the manufacturer, including an emergency phone number to call in case all efforts to deal with this particular chemical fails as well as the actual contents. You will need the content information if you have to contact the poison control center. They also will tell you what to do in case of exposure or ingestion, which is very valuable first aid information in case of exposure. To obtain a material safety data sheet on any potentially poisonous or otherwise dangerous product, contact the manufacturer or the store at which it was bought.
Contact Information Is Also Important
Some important first aid information that many people overlook is who to contact in case of emergency. The phone number of your family physician should be posted in a conspicuous place along with a list of any and all prescriptions you are taking, as well as the dosage. This could prove to be valuable first aid information as some drugs used in emergencies may not be compatible with your prescriptions. Additionally, make sure you list any allergies you may have to certain drugs. This information could be lifesaving.
Unless your area has emergency 9-1-1 calling, you should also have the police, fire and ambulance phone numbers listed near the doctor’s information. It’s also a good idea to have the name and number of a relative or close neighbor who can be counted on take care of smaller children in the event of an emergency and you have to leave for the hospital.
