Don't be a DIY disaster

Following the advice given here will help you avoid serious accidents but even the most careful worker can suffer injury. In case you need First Aid, here is a reminder of some basic First Aid help.

KEEP CALM

• You will be of little help if you are panicking.

• Assess the situation - eliminate further danger to you or the casualty: turn off electricity, put out any small fire. Only if absolutely necessary move the patient, and then very carefully.

• Assess the casualty: are they conscious? breathing? can you feel a pulse? are they bleeding?

IF IN DOUBT, ALWAYS CALL A DOCTOR. OTHERWISE, HERE ARE SOME CRUCIAL DO’S AND DON’TS

DO DIAL 999 FOR AN AMBULANCE IF THE CASUALTY:

• Is at any time unconscious

• Has difficulty breathing

• Is drowsy or being sick

• Is bleeding from the ear or is bleeding profusely and you cannot stop the flow

• Is seriously burned

• Has severe pain anywhere

DON’T…

Give an injured person anything to eat or drink after an accident, unless it is to diluted some poison, chemical or medicine. This is in case later there is a need for anaesthetic.

BURNS AND SCALDS

• Straight away - run cold water over a burn for at least ten minutes.

• Take off belts or jewellery - burned skin can swell. If burned clothes are stuck to skin, leave them alone.

• To keep out infection, cover the burn with a clean, smooth cloth like a pillowcase or with Clingfilm. Never rub butter, oil or treatment on a burn.

• Seek medical advice or go to hospital unless the scald or burn is very small.

CUTS

• Clean small cuts and grazes with clean running water, not antiseptic.

• Stop heavy bleeding by pressing a pad like a folded hankie on the cut - press near the wound if there is something stuck inside. Keep pressing, using extra pads on top, until the bleeding stops. Raise a bleeding arm or leg (if not broken).

Get help from a doctor if the wound is:

• Dirty

• Deep

• There is something stuck in it

• It won’t close up properly

POISONS

• Get medical help - call your doctor, call an ambulance, go to a hospital emergency department. Find the container holding the poison and remember to take it with you. It is important to tell the doctor about it

• Help dilute poison with a drink of milk or water unless the poison has badly burned the mouth or lips

• Never try to make the casualty sick - a salt and water mixture can be especially dangerous

HOW TO DEAL WITH A FIRST AID SITUATION MORE CONFIDENTLY

A First Aid course will prepare you for a wide range of situations, ranging from simple cuts and scalds to serious burns, broken limbs and resuscitation. To find out about your nearest course, find numbers in the phone book for British Red Cross, St John Ambulance or St Andrew’s Ambulance.

Related Pages

• Guide to DIY Safety
• 1. Don’t be a DIY disaster
• 2. Before you start
• 3. Electricity
• 4. Gas Alert
• 5. Ladder Safety
• 6. Buying and Hiring
• 7. Gardening without tears

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