Every family has a home medicine first aid kit, but is your first aid kit really useful in times of crisis? Do you know what must be in a home first aid kit?
4 Categories of Commonly Used Household Equipment
Precise medical equipment is generally not necessary for ordinary households. They are usually not used frequently, but there are some inexpensive small devices that are used quite often and should be considered for purchase.
Thermometer is used to measure body temperature. After the SARS epidemic, almost every household prepared some thermometers, especially mercury thermometers and infrared ear thermometers. Please pay attention to the correct use of various types of thermometers.
Blood pressure monitor is used to measure blood pressure. Currently, the most common ones are electronic and mercury blood pressure monitors. Although mercury blood pressure monitors provide more accurate results, they may be more difficult to operate. Therefore, it is recommended to prioritize the use of electronically validated blood pressure monitors.
Small flashlight is mainly used to examine deep wounds or problems in the eyes, throat, external ear canals, etc. Sometimes it can also be used to check the size of pupils, light reflexes, etc.
Equipment for wound treatment or bandaging, such as tweezers, bandages, etc. The scissors for gauze bandages are usually designed with blunt tips and generally will not harm the skin. If using regular scissors as a substitute, extra attention should be paid to safety. Tweezers are mainly used to remove foreign objects, and it is also recommended to use products with blunt tips to avoid further injury due to improper operation.
7 Categories of Common Consumable Equipment
In the past, many hygiene products were large packages, which were cost-effective to purchase. However, they were not very convenient to use because they quickly lost their sterile state after opening and became wasteful. Therefore, it is recommended to use small packages of sterilized equipment.
In general, the following types of equipment are necessary, but the quantity can be determined based on the number of family members, their ages, and the frequency of use.
Sterile gauze is used to cover wounds. It is usually packaged in sterile packaging and there are various sizes to choose from. Among them, the 2-inch gauze has the highest usage frequency, and larger gauze can be used for larger wounds.
Bandages are mainly used to fix dressings such as gauze on wounds. They are available in various widths and can be purchased according to actual needs. Net bandages are more convenient for wounds on limbs or fingers, but they are more expensive. Elastic bandages can be used to apply pressure to injured limbs and prevent swelling. They can be used under the guidance of a physician.
Tape is used to fix bandages. The commonly used 3M adhesive tape is an example. There is also a hypoallergenic tape that generally does not cause allergies, but it is more expensive. If using paper tape for a long time, it may cause skin itching and rashes. In that case, consider using hypoallergenic tape.
Cotton swabs are used to apply antiseptic solution to wounds. In the past, cotton balls were usually used with tweezers to dip in antiseptic solution, but it was inconvenient and difficult to achieve sterile operation at home. Regular cotton swabs are short and not sterile, so they can be used for cleaning purposes but are not suitable for wound treatment.
Adhesive bandages combine the functions of gauze, bandages, and adhesive tape, making them very convenient for treating small wounds.
Alcohol swabs are used for disinfecting the skin or instruments. They are more convenient than using cotton balls with tweezers to dip in alcohol.
Others can provide additional convenience for wound treatment, such as disposable gloves, sterile gloves, and various urgently needed medications.
