Posted ByCharlotte D. ThomasSchools and teachers usually take very good care of children. Despite their best efforts, sometimes accidents still happen. Although most schools have a nurse’s office, it is still important to have a student first aid kit in every class to take care of minor issues then and there.
Every class needs a well-stocked first aid kit with all the essentials because kids are unpredictable. Returning to school after the long summer holidays is an exciting time for them. They get to meet their friends and participate in their favourite activities. In all that excitement, unexpected injuries happen. Before we look at first aid kit essentials, let’s look at the most common injuries that happen at school.
What are the most common school injuries?
Despite all the precautions by teachers and school authorities, mishaps do happen. Here are some of the most common school injuries:
Falls
Children love to play, and falls are quite common. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of injuries in children. Children can fall from a lot of places. In the playground, they may fall from slides or monkey bars. They may even fall from stairs, windows, and cluttered pathways. Although most falls result in minor scrapes and bruises, some of them can have serious consequences. A severe fall could lead to head, neck or back injuries, broken bones, loss of consciousness, and more.
Being struck by an object
Most kids, especially the ones that play sports often get injured due to being struck by an object. The object could be a ball, a bat, a frisbee, or just about anything. Sometimes kids could absentmindedly walk into a door, wall, or a piece of furniture and hurt themselves. They may even bump into another kid while playing, which could be the cause of their injuries.
Cuts and wounds
Whether they are doing arts and crafts or playing in the field, a lot of children accidentally cut or wound themselves. Sometimes they could get poked by a sharp object, causing a puncture wound. Thankfully, most of these cuts and wounds are pretty harmless, although they may throb and sting a bit. Once you clean and patch these wounds, they heal up pretty fast too.
However, if the cut is deep or bleeding profusely, the child may need immediate medical attention.
Stings and bites
Bites and stings are other common injuries among children, although they do not happen often in school. These injuries can often be handled with a first aid kit, but in severe cases, you may need to seek emergency medical care. A major problem with bites and stings is that they could result in an allergic reaction. If the child is showing symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling, dizziness, or a rapid pulse, you may need a doctor immediately.
Foreign bodies
Do you know of any kid who got a toy stuck up their nose? Kids, especially the young ones, tend to do this more often than you would like. Sometimes kids also get splinters in their fingers, which is again a foreign object in their body. A simple splinter can be taken care of easily with a pair of tweezers. However, if the child has ingested something, you may need more than a first aid kit.
Dislocations
A dislocated joint is yet another common injury for school-going children. Sadly, if a child has a dislocated shoulder or knee, you will need to see a doctor immediately. The doctor would be able to put back the dislocated joint in place. There is very little that a first aid kit could do.
What should a teacher’s first aid kit contain?
In small, private schools there may not be a nurse’s office. Even if you do have one, a first aid kit is essential in every classroom. So, what are the essentials of a first aid kit for teachers?
Band-aids
Band-aids are a staple of every first aid kit, and you should also have many. They are excellent for small cuts and scrapes, protecting the wound from bacteria, dirt, and friction. You cannot even imagine how many times kids get paper cuts or scrape their knees in school. You should get lots of band-aids in a variety of designs and colours.
Antiseptic pads
Antiseptic pads kill germs and sanitize the skin. They are perfect for cleaning off small cuts and wounds before you put a band-aid on.
Disposable gloves
If you are tending to a child’s injury, wearing disposable gloves is important to prevent cross-contamination between you and the child. It also reduces the chances of you getting germs that can make you sick. A box of disposable gloves is a must-have in every first aid kit.
Gauze pads
Gauze pads are great for cleaning, dressing, prepping, and packing wounds. They can also be used as a temporary dressing over wounds. There will be times when a cut is too big for a bandaid. For these times, you will need gauze pads.
Adhesive tape
What do you need to keep the gauze pads in place? Of course, adhesive tape. So, when you are stocking your first aid kit, ensure you have a roll of adhesive tape.
Tweezers
You need a pair of tweezers for those pesky splinters.
Ice packs
Ice packs are often used for injuries because they ease the pain by numbing the affected area. It can also be useful to reduce bleeding, swelling, and inflammation. If you are buying reusable ice packs, you will need to ensure that you have a freezer handy. If there is no freezer, you may want to buy single-use ice packs.
Anti-bite ointment
For itchy skin and mosquito bites, an anti-bite ointment may be very useful. However, read the instructions carefully before you use them on a child.
Antibiotic cream
Antibiotic creams are perfect for small cuts and scrapes, and you should always have one in your first aid kit.
Digital thermometer
If you have a nurse’s office, you may not need a digital thermometer. However, if you don’t or if you work with small kids, you may want to get a forehead thermometer. They are quick to use and do not spread germs.
Conclusion
Most injuries in school can be prevented with precaution. Despite the precautions, kids end up hurting themselves. For all those nicks and cuts, you must have a first aid kit.