Although the festive season is always full of fun and excitement, the reality is that accidents can, and do happen. Having a house full of guests, cooking large meals, lighting scented candles or stringing up fairy lights, can lead to small mishaps.
GP Dr Rosemary Leonard suggests what to do in these five common accident scenarios…
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Problem 1: Burns
What to do
The first and most important thing is to cool the skin to limit tissue damage, so flood it with cold water for at least 10 minutes. Remove watches, jewellery or anything else that could constrict the skin as it swells. Cover the area with clean, non-fluffy material and bandage the area. Don’t apply cream yet as this may increase the risk of infection. Leave blisters intact as it will help protect the skin and allow new skin to form underneath.
Call for help
If the burn is really big and has gone through the skin, a first aid kit won’t be enough. When the skin starts to look waxy, pale and charred rather than red, contact your doctor or go to your nearest hospital.
Problem 2: Choking
What to do
Both adults and children can easily choke if food gets stuck in the airway. The message – always chew your food thoroughly! If someone is choking, stand next to them, bend them over one of your arms and use your free hand to give them five slaps on the back between the shoulder blades. If this doesn’t work, stand behind them with your arms around the top of their tummy, below the breastbone. Make a fist with one hand and grasp it with the other. Pull inwards and upwards five times, a method known as abdominal thrusts. For babies and toddlers, use your fingers rather than a fist.
Call for help
If the choking persists or the person weakens or loses consciousness, get help immediately.
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Problem 3: Cuts
What to do
If you cut yourself while cooking or preparing food, immediately apply pressure using a clean dishcloth. If the wound is gaping, press on either side. You’ll need to keep pressing for five minutes to stop the bleeding. Cover with a plaster and for a gaping wound, pull the edges together with Steri-Strips.
Call for help
If a cut is spurting blood and you can’t stem it. This suggests a severed artery and needs medical attention immediately. The other thing to watch out for is cutting through tendons on a finger. If you can’t move a finger properly you need medical attention.
Problem 4: Falls
What to do
For minor injuries, follow the RICE rule – rest, ice, compression and elevation. For legs, that means getting it above the hip joint. For arms, use a scarf to lift the wrist up to neck level. For bad sprains, repeated icing over a day will reduce swelling. If someone has hit their head, check for any symptoms of concussion; which include no memory of what happened, confusion, feeling dizzy or vomiting.
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Problem 5: Sunstroke
What to do
A bit too much fun in the holiday sun can cause sunstroke, where a person’s body is unable to cool itself, and the core temperature rises sharply to a dangerous level above 39 degrees, causing a throbbing headache, dizziness or vomiting.
The first thing to do is to remove clothing and lie the person in a cool bath of water. Alternatively cover them with a wet towel or rub their body with ice cubes. They’ll probably also be dehydrated so get them to sip on an electrolyte drink such as a sports drink containing essential salts and minerals.
Call for help
If their temperature persists, have intense muscle aches, become confused, are extremely tired, or lose consciousness, they will need medical attention.
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