It’s difficult to think about what would happen to you and your family if an emergency strikes. One way to help yourself be prepared for emergencies is by having the right first aid items in your car. First aid items don’t just have to be reserved for when you’re injured in a car accident; they can also be used to take care of you or someone else if you find yourself stuck on the side of the road due to car trouble. Here is a list of five essential first aid items that must be in every car at all times, no matter where you live or your vehicle type.
1- A Tourniquet
Tourniquets are essential to any first aid kit because they are the quickest way to stop blood loss. Tourniquets should be used when the arm or leg is completely crushed, if you’ve been shot, or if a vicious animal has been bitten. Also, a tourniquet can stop bleeding from other injuries, such as cuts or scrapes. If you find yourself in a situation where blood loss occurs, place the tourniquet on the damage and hold it tight for only around five minutes, as this would allow time for the proper medical help to arrive.
2- Sterile Eye Dressings
If someone’s eye is injured or scratched, it can be very painful and open them to infection. It’s best to have at least two sterile eye dressings if one becomes damaged. Sterile eye dressings are placed over the eyes before any foul-smelling ointment is used so that harmful bacteria or viruses do not get into the eyes and avoid infecting the entire body.
3- Different Types of Bandages
Bandages can be used for all sorts of things so aed trained people always keep it with themselves, from treating deep cuts to supporting those with sprained or injured limbs. Fortunately, bandages come in a variety of different useful shapes and sizes. You will want to have a few different types on hand, including ones that are triangular and ones that are in strips. These will allow you to choose the best shape and size for whatever kind of wound you’re covering up. Also, you’ll want to ensure that your bandages are made from sterile material.
4- Tweezers
Tweezers are an incredibly important tool for first aid because they can remove splinters and ticks from the skin. Sometimes small lacerations require tweezers to treat them properly, and these can also be used to remove wax or even some types of splinters. You’ll want to ensure you have a few different sizes on hand, so you can use the right one for whatever wound you’re treating. Tweezers are extremely compact, so you can slip them into any first aid kit or keep them all in a small box.
5- Disposable Sterile Gloves
Disposable sterile gloves are one of the most important first aid items in your car. If you or another person is injured and you’re worried about contracting germs or diseases, wearing disposable sterile gloves is a great idea. They protect your hands from bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances that could make you sick. Sterile gloves should be changed as often as possible, so having extras on hand is always a good idea.
Many people need to realize the importance of always having certain first aid items in their cars. This is why it’s always a good idea to go on road trips or test drive cars with a friend who is knowledgeable about first aid in case something should happen. When you take time to keep some basic first aid items in your vehicle, you can be sure that you and the entire family will always be safe and protected.
