Prepare for Emergencies

People spend most of their time at home, so it's one of the most likely places for a medical emergency. Things that could go wrong include, for example:

• minor cuts and burns from working in the kitchen or garage
• life-threatening allergic reactions
• asthma attacks

It pays to be prepared. A family can handle almost any emergency if three basics are covered.

First Basic: Calling for Help

• Post “911” in red next to the phone, or another emergency service number if your town doesn’t have 911 service.
• Make a list of phone numbers of hospitals, doctors, dentists and the regional poison control center, and place them near the phone.
• Keep a cell phone or two-way radio handy. Also, make arrangements with a neighbor to use the phone in case yours is not working.
• Designate an out-of-town relative or friend to act as a common contact in case of regional or national disaster.

Second Basic: First-Aid Kit

• Stock items for medical conditions that family members have; for example, a bee sting kit for a child or parent who would have a severe reaction to a sting.
• Gather basic "layperson" exam equipment: a small, bright flashlight, thermometer, watch with sweep second hand.
• Pull together some "nurse-level" exam equipment if anyone in the household has healthcare training: stethoscope, ophthalmoscope/otoscope, blood pressure cuff.
• Stock over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin, antacid and cough/cold medication.
• Supply items for injury treatment: bandages, gauze, scissors, tape, ice packs (already frozen in freezer), rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic ointment.
• You can use bags of frozen corn or peas from the freezer instead of ice packs. These work well because they mold around the injury, providing more even coverage than some cold packs. Start by applying the bag to the affected area in quick strokes, gradually slowing down your movement. This gives the affected area a chance to become numb before feeling frozen.
• Make sure the phone number of the regional poison control center is readily available.
• Keep soap at each kitchen or bathroom sink for hand washing.

Third Basic: What Your Family Needs to Know

• CPR
• Location of first-aid kit
• Treatment of small scrapes, cuts, nose or mouth bleeds or burns
• Emergency and physician phone numbers
• Escape route from the house in case of fire or other danger
• How to stop, drop and roll if clothing catches on fire (Running actually feeds the fire by providing more oxygen.)
• To use ladders already secured from upper-story windows
• Your family's designated spot to meet in case of emergencies
• To trust a firefighter who is trying to rescue a family member. (Take your child on a field trip to the local fire station to show her what a firefighter looks like when he is wearing his rescue gear.)

For a menu of common first aid procedures go to http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/FirstAidIndex/FirstAidIndex*.

*(Note: Referrals to Web sites not produced by Focus on the Family are for informational purposes only and do not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the sites' content.)

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