Families ill-equipped for accidents in the home
Every household should have a well-stocked first-aid kit and know how to use it, according to the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps.
The survey was conducted among 852 households of which most had children under four years of age.
While 40% of respondents use a first-aid kit in the home on a monthly basis, 60% either do not know or are unsure what it should contain.
Almost half the people surveyed, by first-aid antiseptic TCP, have never done a first-aid course.
Commander Winnie Maye, deputy national director of the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps, said: “It is alarming that so many young Irish families appear to be unprepared for the inevitable accidents at home, because by their nature, accidents do happen.”
More than half of all accidents happen in or around the home, research shows. Children, and specifically girls up to nine years and boys aged 10-19 years, are at most risk.
“A basic knowledge of first aid is essential and while you may not necessarily be called on to save someone’s life, you will most certainly be able to lessen the pain and trauma of someone you care about,” said Ms Maye.
The Order of Malta Ambulance Corps recommends all households have a well-stocked first-aid kit and that everyone should attend a first-aid course.
The basics requirements for a first-aid kit are: plasters, varying sizes of sterile wound dressings, antiseptic solution, burns dressing, bandages, paramedic shears, eye pad, surgical gloves, a resuscitation barrier and safety pins.
Statistically, August is the highest risk time, with 10.7% of the yearly total of home and leisure accidents.
The Order of Malta is Ireland’s largest provider of voluntary first aid, ambulance and community care services. It also provides first-aid training to the public and industry. The corps has over 4,000 voluntary members in 32 counties.
