It's a sobering thought that the majority of accidents not involving an automobile occur in the home, where you would expect to be at your safest. And of those, most happen in the kitchen. They tend to fall into the following categories:
· Cuts
· Burns and scalds
· Poisoning
· Electric shock
You, and the rest of your family, really need to know how to deal with them.
Remember, what we are talking about is First Aid. The idea is not to try to turn you all into doctors, or even paramedics, but simply to give you the skills to take immediate action should something untoward happen.
Learning a few simple basics as set out in this series of articles will allow you to take immediate remedial action in the event of an accident which could prevent scarring, reduce stress, save a limb or, in extreme cases, a life.
You will not only be taught what to do in an emergency, you will also be taught what NOT to do, which can be just as important. You may well be in for a number of surprises and find a few myths exploded.
The series is aimed specifically at problems arising in the kitchen, but many of the skills described will work just as well anywhere you happen to be.
Your family will derive the most benefit from this if you learn the steps and practice them together. Ask each other questions, for example, and see how much of the information you have each retained.
Don't assume for one moment that it will always be the adults who administer the first aid. Grown ups have accidents too!
Ask each other questions about the content of, and make sure everyone knows where, the First Aid box is kept and what each item is used for.
Here is the complete list of articles:
Kitchen First Aid: First Aid Kit
Kitchen First Aid: Shock
Kitchen First Aid: Burns and Scalds
Kitchen First Aid: Choking
Kitchen First Aid: Cuts and Wounds
Kitchen First Aid: Electric Shock
Kitchen First Aid: Poisoning
Once you know what to do in an emergency in the kitchen you will have placed yourself in a remarkably small band of elite.
Everyone should know and understand the content of this series, of course. But the truth is that few do, largely because most people believe the sort of things described will not happen to them.
The truth is that accidents can and do happen to everyone. You owe it to yourself and your family to be able to deal with a problem should it arise.
The advice in these articles will not make you medically qualified, neither is it a substitute for professional help. It simply equips you to take control of a situation and reduce its impact until help arrives.
By so doing you will be relieving pain and stress. You may even be saving a life.
There is one other benefit which may not be immediately obvious; you will no longer be a bystander.
Instead of wishing you could help and wondering what to do (or worse, ‘meddling’ in the hope that something will work), you will know precisely what steps to take and you will act with confidence.
You may be surprised at what this will do for your self esteem.
Please take the time to read this series through from time to time and, if you have the chance, why not approach your local Red Cross or St.John’s Ambulance group to see what extra training they offer?
I wish you and your family the best of health and safety in the kitchen
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Contributor's Note
The Cool Cook is a former head chef, now retired, with more than thirty years experience. He holds professional qualifications in kitchen hygiene and occupational first aid.
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