With the return to school looming, now is the perfect time for an important check on first aid in schools. Trips, falls and slips in school are only natural and some of the most common injuries we see come from the playground.
As we get ready to go back to school, we’ll look at the essential first aid kit for school, exploring the most common injuries that happen and what you’ll find in the kit to be able to safely treat them.
Cuts, scrapes and grazes
One of the most common injuries for children regardless of where they are is a cut, scrape or graze! Slips and trips are often the culprits for this injury and whilst some can be more severe than others, they still need to be looked after to prevent infection. As the staple of any first aid kit, plasters are a necessity and we have a range suitable for any size. In every school first aid kit, you’ll find a set of Washproof Plasters that should handle the job.
Before applying anything over the wound it’s important to clean the area to avoid infection which is why you’ll also find Sterile Saline Wipes to aid cleansing.
Breaks and fractures
A painful and often seen type of injury is also around bones! Breaking or fracturing a bone at school happens frequently and whilst the end destination will be a trip to the hospital, there are still some handy things to have in the first aid kit so that it can be made as comfortable as possible for the injured.
Depending on the break, there are a range of contents you can find in the kit including a selection of bandages to aid, but the most important would be;
- Sterile dressings (Medium, Large)
- Sterile Saline Wipes
- Microporous Tape
If possible, it’s important to clean the area and wrap it in the best way to prevent further injury and restrict movement. However, this should be done with the mind that it wouldn’t cause further pain or discomfort supporting the injury ahead of full treatment at the hospital.
Head trauma and unconsciousness
Trips and falls can be fairly minor but it’s also commonplace for them to cause more severe injuries including head trauma or unconsciousness. Only a fully trained first aider should be administering support but the first thing to check if a child becomes unconscious is that they are breathing. The next steps will be dependent on the severity of the unconsciousness but the key thing to keep in every first aid kit is a resuscitation device that will allow you to safely revive the child without risk of transmitting any infection, illness or germs.
Choking and heart issues
Choking or a potential cardiac arrest are other issues seen amongst school children, and whilst there is a misconception that they only occur in adults, this isn’t entirely true. Sporting activities are the largest cause of children suffering from cardiac arrest. Whilst it’s a bigger purchase to undertake, it may be worth getting a defibrillator set up within the school to support in the event of an emergency. With no training required due to the clear and ongoing instructions given by the machine itself, anyone can operate the equipment and it could save a life.
Asthma and breathing
With breathing difficulties and asthma a large health condition in young children and adults, there is always a heightened potential risk of an asthma attack at school. If conscious, you should ensure the airways are clear of any obstructions and similar to our third common injury, look to the resuscitation device to assist breathing until an ambulance arrives. With asthma, ensure to give the student an inhaler to help get their breathing stabilised.
When administering any first aid, maintaining health and safety is of utmost importance. To ensure safe execution of each item a guidance leaflet is available for every kit, as well as disposable gloves for any treatment that is carried out. It’s inevitable that children will have issues in school and on the playground so it’s important to have a first aid kit readily available.
Accidents don’t always just happen on the playground or in the classroom, the kitchen is also full of hazards that could warrant the use of a first aid kit. Spills, sharp objects and hot food are other big causes of injury and with some schools providing hot dinners it’s also important to keep your kitchen first aid kit up to date. Alongside our school kit, we provide a selection of catering first aid kits. This is a handy kit that is perfect for ensuring any accidents that happen in the kitchen are looked after.
