Submitted by: agcomm,  Thu May  1 11:00:54 1997


                                   May 1, 1997
 
Preparing For Life's Injuries Means
Having A First Aid Kit Ready
 
     Life is full of pinches, pokes, stings, cuts, bruises,
sprains, pulls and bumps. And that's why a first aid kit is
one of the most valuable tools for every farm and home,
according to a North Dakota State University safety
specialist.
 
     "Flood cleanup, spring planting and summer activities
mean that injuries will happen," says George Maher of the NDSU
Extension Service. "In the case of severe injuries, having
first aid supplies on hand can mean the difference between
life and death. For less severe injuries, first aid can often
minimize the pain and severity of those injuries."
 
     Maher says there should be a complete first aid kit in
the home, in farm buildings, in the farm shop and in trucks,
tractors and cars. 
 
     "When there's an injury, you can't afford to waste
valuable time searching for a first aid kit," Maher says. "It
can be crucial to administer first aid as soon as possible
after injury. In some cases it may be life saving."
 
     Good sources of quality first aid kits are drug stores,
hardware stores, mail-order outlets and safety equipment
stores. In some communities the emergency medical service
sells first aid kits as a fund raising project. Assembling and
selling first aid kits could be a good group project. Costs
can be reduced by buying items in quantity.
 
     You can also assemble first aid kits at home, Maher says.
 
     What should be in the kit?
 
     Begin with large bandages, compresses, triangular
bandages, stretch wrapping tape, and adhesive tape. Next,
include assorted sizes of adhesive bandages, iodine or another
disinfectant, cold packs, a flashlight with spare batteries
and an emergency signal horn.
 
     Also include rubbing alcohol (70 percent), alcohol wipes,
skin ointment, syrup of ipecac, sting-kill treatments,
calamine lotion, eye wash, baking soda, ammonia inhalants,
aspirin tablets, scissors, tweezers, and latex or vinyl
gloves. Also consider an insulating blanket, matches, paper
and pencil, paper drinking cups, epsom salts, safety pins and
salt. 
 
     A large fishing tackle box can hold these items when it
is carefully packed. Fold-out trays can be a real help in
organizing the contents. A plastic ice cream pail with a tight
fitting lid can be used for smaller kits for tractors and
other vehicles. Small kits should supplement the larger kit,
not replace it.
 
     "Clearly label first aid kits to make them obvious and
easy to find," Maher advises. "The white cross is a universal
symbol for first aid and can be made with white adhesive tape
on all sides of the container for quick identification."
 
     If you already have first aid kits, give them a periodic
check-up and replace missing or outdated items, Maher says.
 
NDSU Agriculture Communication
Tom Jirik
Information Specialist
(701) 231-9629
Maher: (701) 231-8288