By Emsie Martin

We all know holidays have their share of injuries, which is why every mom should be prepared for scrapes, cuts, sunburn and bites or stings, bruises and tears.

Fortunately, parents have that special instinct to handle their kids’ accidents or small mishaps. From a purple lump the size of an egg on your child’s forehead to a bleeding wound become part of a parent’s life and no longer upset us greatly. With disinfectant, brightly coloured sticking plasters and lots of hugs and kisses, a mom knows she can handle many small mishaps. The secret is to be prepared for these mishaps when you are on holiday.

Simple, but essential items in the first-aid kit for young and old:

Bandages and substances for wounds, scrapes and the like:

• Cotton buds, to clean the wound before covering it with a plaster strip or bandage.
• Adhesive bandages, ordinary bandages and sterile bandages to take care of or dress wounds.
• Clips to keep the bandages neatly in place.
• Sticking plasters of different sizes to cover the wound.
• Triangular bandages that can serve as a sling for an injured arm or ankle etc.

Medicines and other remedies:

• Pain-killers suitable for children, such as paracetamol (Panado).
• Rehydration salts that can be dissolved in water to replenish moisture lost if the child has diarrhoea, vomits or has heatstroke.
• Remedies to treat diarrhoea, cramps and tummy ache,
• Insecticide suitable for children.
• For burn wounds: keep under cool running water as it helps to stop the burning process, which continues while the spot remains warm. If serious, get to a hospital as soon as possible.
• A good sunscreen lotion (SPF 30), as only one or two serious red-hot sunburns can lead to skin cancer later.
• Seasick tablets suitable for children.
• Additional specific medication: Of course, you will want to add some other medicine to your first-aid kit, depending on your family’s specific requirements, such as allergy medicine and asthma pumps etc.

Other essentials:

• Disposable medical gloves to wear when tending to a wound.
• A thermometer.
• A tweezer.
• Big and small scissors.

Precaution against athlete’s foot and other germs:

If you are staying in a holiday resort, Thursday Plantation tea tree oil is perfect to spray in the showers, baths and wash-basins for that extra peace of mind before using them. You never know if previous visitors may have had highly infectious athlete’s foot. If you or your kids use a public or beach shower, a few drops on your feet will help to protect you against contracting fungal infections such as athlete’s foot.

Details and number of nearest doctor and hospital:

Remember to look up the contact details of the nearest doctor or hospital at your holiday destination and add the numbers to your cell phone.

With a bit of preparation and a basic first-aid kit, you and your kids are ready to enjoy your holiday. Also pack a lot of love and hugs, drive carefully and return home safely.

SOURCES:

https://www.rsgplus.org/gesondheid/die-essensiele-noodhulp-kissie-vir-kinders/

https://www.rooirose.co.za/is-jou-noodhulptassie-gepak/

https://www.netwerk24.com/Weg/WegSleep/eina-pyn-20170628